Systems and methods for a moveable cover panel of an autonomous vehicle

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for a moveable cover panel of an autonomous vehicle is provided. A vehicle can include a front panel disposed proximate to the front end of the passenger compartment, a vehicle motion control device located at the front panel, and a cover panel located at the front panel. The cover panel moveable relative to the front panel between an isolating position and an exposing position. The cover panel can isolate the vehicle motion control device from the passenger compartment when in the isolating position and expose the vehicle motion control device to the passenger compartment when in the exposing position. A method can include obtaining vehicle data identifying an operational mode, state, and/or status of the vehicle, determining a first position of the cover panel, and initiating a positional change for the cover panel based on the vehicle data and the first position.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is based on and claims benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 63/039,522 having a filing date ofJun. 16, 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to autonomous vehicles and,more particularly, a moveable cover panel for autonomous vehicles andautonomous vehicle operating mode control.

BACKGROUND

An autonomous vehicle can be capable of sensing its environment andnavigating with little to no human input. In particular, an autonomousvehicle can observe its surrounding environment using a variety ofsensors and can attempt to comprehend the environment by performingvarious processing techniques on data collected by the sensors. Givensuch knowledge, an autonomous vehicle can navigate through theenvironment.

SUMMARY

Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will beset forth in part in the following description, or may be learned fromthe description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.

An example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an autonomousvehicle. The autonomous vehicle can include a passenger compartmentdefining a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and a verticaldirection. The passenger compartment can have a forward end and a rearend spaced apart from the forward end along the longitudinal direction.The passenger compartment can include a front panel disposed proximateto the front end of the passenger compartment, a vehicle motion controldevice located at the front panel, and a cover panel located at thefront panel. The cover panel can be moveable relative to the front panelbetween an isolating position and an exposing position. The cover panelcan isolate the vehicle motion control device from the passengercompartment when in the isolating position.

Another example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to acomputer-implemented method of adjusting a position of a cover panel foran autonomous vehicle. The method includes obtaining, by a vehiclecomputing system including one or more computing devices, vehicle dataindicative of an operating mode for the autonomous vehicle. The methodincludes determining, by the vehicle computing system, a first positionof the cover panel for the autonomous vehicle. The cover panel ismoveable along a front panel of the autonomous vehicle to isolate andexpose a motion control device of the autonomous vehicle. The method caninclude initiating, by the vehicle computing device, a positional changefor the cover panel based, at least in part, on the vehicle data and thefirst position.

Yet another example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to acomputing system. The computing system can include one or moreprocessors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media thatcollectively store instructions that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the system to perform operations. The operations caninclude obtaining vehicle data indicative of an operating mode of anautonomous vehicle. The operations can include determining a firstposition of a cover panel for the autonomous vehicle from among aplurality of positions. The plurality of positions can include anisolating position in which the cover panel substantially isolates amotion control device of the autonomous vehicle from a passengercompartment of the autonomous vehicle and an exposing position in whichthe motion control device is exposed to the passenger compartment of theautonomous vehicle. And, the operations can include initiating apositional change for the cover panel based, at least in part, on thevehicle data and the first position.

Other example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to othersystems, methods, vehicles, apparatuses, tangible non-transitorycomputer-readable media, and devices for the operation of a deviceincluding a vehicle and/or one or more components thereof.

The autonomous vehicle technology described herein can help improve thesafety of passengers of an autonomous vehicle, improve the safety of thesurroundings of the autonomous vehicle, improve the experience of therider and/or operator of the autonomous vehicle, as well as provideother improvements as described herein. Moreover, the autonomous vehicletechnology of the present disclosure can help improve the ability of anautonomous vehicle to effectively provide vehicle services to others andsupport the various members of the community in which the autonomousvehicle is operating, including persons with reduced mobility and/orpersons that are underserved by other transportation options.Additionally, the autonomous vehicle of the present disclosure mayreduce traffic congestion in communities as well as provide alternateforms of transportation that may provide environmental benefits.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodimentswill become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the present disclosure and, together with thedescription, serve to explain the related principles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Detailed discussion of embodiments directed to one of ordinary skill inthe art are set forth in the specification, which makes reference to theappended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an example system for controlling thecomputational functions of an autonomous vehicle according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A depicts an autonomous vehicle according to example embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B depicts an example passenger compartment of an autonomousvehicle according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A depicts an example configurable cover panel according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B depicts another example configurable cover panel according toexample embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A-4D depict an example cover panel configuration according toexample embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts an example airbag layout according to example embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts an example airbag activation scheme according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts a dataflow diagram for initiating a positional change ofa configurable cover panel according to example embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of a method for initiating a positionalchange of a configurable cover panel according to example embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts example units associated with a computing system forperforming operations and functions according to example embodiments ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram of example computing hardware accordingto example embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to improved systems andmethods for facilitating the selective operation of an autonomousvehicle. In particular, aspects of the present disclosure are directedto an autonomous vehicle dashboard with a movable cover panel that canhelp improve the ability of an autonomous vehicle to safely changebetween operating modes/states. An autonomous vehicle, for example, canbe configured to operate in one or more operating modes, each associatedwith a different autonomy state (e.g., manual mode/state,semi-autonomous mode/state, fully autonomous mode/state, etc.). Thevehicle can include a front panel within a passenger compartment withone or more devices configured to control one or more aspects of thevehicle. For example, the front panel can include a number of manualtouch inputs (e.g., steering wheels, operational buttons (e.g., tostart/stop the vehicle, to change an autonomy mode of the vehicle),climate control devices, entertainment devices (e.g., audio devices,etc.), windshield devices, etc.) configured to control one or moreaspects of the vehicle (e.g., steering, operation, entertainment,maintenance, etc.). As an example, the front panel can include asteering device that can be manually moved by a passenger of the vehicleto steer the vehicle while in a manual and/or semi-autonomous operatingmode. Such devices, however, can become redundant and, in some cases,potentially hazardous while the vehicle operates in a fully autonomousoperating mode.

To ensure passenger safety, an autonomous vehicle can include a coverpanel located at the front panel. The cover panel can be moveablebetween one or more positions (e.g., an isolating position and anexposing position) relative to the front panel. At an isolatingposition, the cover panel can isolate one or more vehicle controldevice(s) of the front panel from the passenger compartment of theautonomous vehicle. This can include, for example, substantiallycovering the control device such that it cannot be physically contactedor seen by a passenger. At an exposing position, the cover panel canexpose one or more of the vehicle control device(s) to the passengercompartment. This can allow a passenger to physically contact and/or seethe control device. As described herein, a computing system (e.g., avehicle computing system, operations computing system, etc.) canidentify a current position of the cover panel, obtain vehicle dataindicative of an operating mode of the autonomous vehicle, and initiatea positional change of the cover panel based on the operating mode ofthe autonomous vehicle and the current position of the cover panel. Forinstance, the computing system can determine that a desired position forthe configurable cover panel is the isolating position in the event thatthe autonomous vehicle is in a fully autonomous operating mode (e.g., toisolate control device(s) from interfering with one or more passengersof the vehicle, etc.). In such a case, the computing system can initiatea positional change of the cover panel from a current exposing positionto the desired isolating position. In this manner, the computing systemcan provide and/or deny access to control devices of an autonomousvehicle depending on the operating mode of the vehicle.

The autonomous vehicle can include one or more airbags within thepassenger compartment. The airbag(s) can include a first airbag in thefront panel (e.g., positioned in front of a front passenger seat), asecond airbag in a control device (e.g., a steering device such as asteering wheel), and/or a third airbag in the cover panel. Each airbagcan be activated and/or deactivated according to the position of thecover panel. For instance, a computing system (e.g., vehicle computingsystem, operations computing system, etc.) can activate the first andthird airbag and deactivate the second airbag in the event that thecover panel is in the isolating position (e.g., covering the controldevice). The second airbag can be deactivated, for example, because thecontrol device including the second airbag can be covered by the coverpanel in the isolating position. As such, the airbag in the cover panelcan be available for a passenger riding in the front “operator” seat ofthe vehicle. Similarly, when in the exposed position, the first airbagin the front panel can be deactivate and the third airbag in the coverpanel can be activated and available for a passenger in the frontpassenger seat of the vehicle. In this manner, the systems and methodsof the present disclosure can ensure safety by dynamically activatingairbags based on the position of a movable cover panel to reducepotential airbag interference by the configurable system. In this way,the computing system can provide manual touch points to allow forpassenger control of a vehicle without sacrificing the safety andcomfort of passengers during autonomous travel.

The following describes the technology of this disclosure within thecontext of autonomous vehicles for example purposes only. As describedherein, the technology described herein is not limited to autonomousvehicles and can be implemented within other robotic and computingsystems, such as those utilized by a ridesharing and/or deliveryservices.

An autonomous vehicle can be a ground-based vehicle, aerial vehicle,and/or another type of vehicle. The autonomous vehicle can performvehicle services for one or more service entities. A service entity canbe associated with the provision of one or more vehicle services. Forexample, a service entity can be an individual, a group of individuals,a company (e.g., a business entity, organization, etc.), a group ofentities (e.g., affiliated companies), and/or another type of entitythat offers and/or coordinates the provision of vehicle service(s) toone or more users. As an example, a service entity can offer vehicleservice(s) to users via a software application (e.g., on a usercomputing device), via a website, and/or via other types of interfacesthat allow a user to request a vehicle service. The vehicle services caninclude user transportation services (e.g., by which the vehicletransports user(s) from one location to another), delivery services(e.g., by which a vehicle delivers item(s) to a requested destinationlocation), courier services (e.g., by which a vehicle retrieves item(s)from a requested origin location and delivers the item to a requesteddestination location), and/or other types of services.

An operations computing system of the service entity can help tocoordinate the performance of vehicle services by autonomous vehicles.For instance, the operations computing system can include a serviceplatform. The service platform can include a plurality of back-endservices and front-end interfaces, which are accessible via one or moreAPIs. For example, an autonomous vehicle and/or another computing systemthat is remote from the autonomous vehicle can communicate/access theservice platform (and its backend services) by calling the one or moreAPIs. Such components can facilitate secure, bidirectionalcommunications between autonomous vehicles and/or the service entity'soperations system (e.g., including a data center, etc.). The serviceplatform can allow an autonomous vehicle to obtain data from and/orcommunicate data to the operations computing system. By way of example,a user can provide (e.g., via a user device) a request for a vehicleservice to the operations computing system associated with the serviceentity.

The autonomous vehicle can include a computing system (e.g., a vehiclecomputing system) with a variety of components for operating withminimal and/or no interaction from a human operator. For example, thecomputing system can be located onboard the autonomous vehicle andinclude one or more sensors (e.g., cameras, Light Detection and Ranging(LiDAR), Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR), etc.), an autonomycomputing system (e.g., for determining autonomous navigation), one ormore vehicle control systems (e.g., for controlling braking, steering,powertrain), etc. The autonomy computing system can include a number ofsub-systems that cooperate to perceive the surrounding environment ofthe autonomous vehicle and determine a motion plan for controlling themotion of the autonomous vehicle.

For example, the autonomy computing system can include a perceptionsystem configured to perceive one or more objects within the surroundingenvironment of the autonomous vehicle, a prediction system configured topredict a motion of the object(s) within the surrounding environment ofthe autonomous vehicle, and a motion planning system configured to planthe motion of the autonomous vehicle with respect to the object(s)within the surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle. Forexample, the motion planning system can determine a motion plan inaccordance with a determined route and/or one or more objects along theroute. In some implementations, one or more of the number of sub-systemscan be combined into one system. For example, an autonomy computingsystem can include a perception/prediction system configured to perceiveand predict a motion of one or more objects within the surroundingenvironment of the autonomous vehicle.

The vehicle computing system can include and/or be associated with aplurality of external sensors (e.g., LiDAR sensors, outward facingcameras, etc.) and/or interior sensors (e.g., internal facingcameras/heat sensors, internal facing microphones, tactile sensors(e.g., touch sensors within seats of a vehicle interior, on the handleof a vehicle door, etc.), etc.). The plurality of sensors can be placedthroughout the vehicle to obtain sensor data indicative of the presenceof objects and/or humans currently and/or predicted to be within and/orproximate to the vehicle's interior. The sensor data, for example, canbe obtained by the interior sensors such as one or more camerasconfigured to obtain image data, one or more microphones configured toobtain auditory data, one or more tactile sensors configured to obtaintactile data (e.g., to detect a touch to a seat to determine whether anobject and/or passenger is placed on or sitting in a passenger seat,etc.). In some implementations, the sensor data can identify thelocation and one or more other characteristics (e.g., age, height,weight, etc.) of one or more passengers within the vehicle interior.

The vehicle computing system can store and/or otherwise access vehicledata associated with the autonomous vehicle. The vehicle data, forexample, can include operational data associated with an operating modeof the vehicle and/or operational states for one or more components ofthe vehicle. As an example, the vehicle data can be indicative of anoperating mode (e.g., vehicle autonomy mode) and/or an operationalstatus mode (e.g., ridesharing, etc.) for the autonomous vehicle. Inthis regard, the autonomous vehicle can be configured to operate in oneor more operating modes including, for example, a fully autonomousoperating mode, a semi-autonomous operating mode, a manual operatingmode, a park mode, a sleep mode, and/or any other mode describing theoperational capabilities of the vehicle. A fully autonomous (e.g.,self-driving) operating mode can be one in which the vehicle can providedriving and navigational operation with minimal and/or no interactionfrom a human driver present in the vehicle. A semi-autonomous operatingmode can be one in which the vehicle can operate with some interactionfrom a human driver present in the vehicle. Park and/or sleep modes canbe used between operating modes while the vehicle performs variousactions including waiting to provide a subsequent vehicle service,recharging between operating modes, etc. And, a manual operating modecan be one in which the vehicle can drive, navigate, etc. based onmanual inputs from a human driver. The manual inputs, for example, canbe provided via one or more manual touchpoints within the vehicle asdescribed in greater detail herein.

In addition, the autonomous vehicle can be configured to operate in oneor more operational status modes including, for example, a public-facingmode (e.g., ridesharing mode), a maintenance mode (e.g., whereauthorized personnel are authorized to access the vehicle), aprivate-facing mode, and/or any other mode describing the authorizationcapability of the vehicle. By way of example, a public-facing mode canbe one in which the vehicle can be authorized to service atransportation service request (e.g., a ride-sharing request, etc.). Themaintenance mode can be one in which the vehicle can be authorized toreceive maintenance (e.g., from one or more authorized maintenanceservice providers, etc.). The private-facing mode can be one in whichthe vehicle can be authorized for private use by a vehicle operator(e.g., via one or more manual inputs to one or more manual touchpointwhile in a manual operation mode, etc.) and/or where the vehicleperforms a task for the service entity like vehicle-assistance, datacollection, etc. As an example, an instruction to change the operationalstatus mode can be received from an authorized user (e.g., via a userdevice of a maintenance provider, via user input of the maintenanceprovider to an onboard user device, etc.), an operations computingsystem (e.g., service entity system, etc.), etc. to, for example,authorize the vehicle for manual control (e.g., to tow the vehicle, testone or more vehicle components, etc.), authorized the vehicle for fullautonomous control (e.g., to provide an autonomous ride-sharing service,etc.).

The vehicle data can identify the current operating mode (and/or acurrent operational-status mode) of the vehicle and/or one or moreoperating modes (and/or operational-status modes) preceding and/orsubsequent to the current vehicle operating mode (and/or currentoperational-status mode). For example, in some implementations, thevehicle data can identify an anticipated operating mode. The anticipatedoperating mode can include a predicted operating mode at a future pointin time (e.g., one or more seconds, minutes, etc. subsequent to thecurrent time). The vehicle computing system can determine an anticipatedoperating mode, for example, based on one or more operationalconstraints of the autonomous vehicle, rider preferences associated witha passenger of the autonomous vehicle, map data indicative of thesurrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle, a vehicle route,and/or any other data associated with the operation of the vehicle.

In some implementations, the vehicle data can include activation dataassociated with the operational state of one or more components of thevehicle. As an example, the vehicle can include a plurality of airbags(e.g., a first, second, and third airbag, etc.) placed throughout thevehicle's interior (e.g., a passenger compartment of the vehicle). Insuch a case, the activation data can include an airbag activation statefor one or more of the airbags located within the vehicle interior(e.g., passenger compartment). For instance, each of the pluralityairbags can be associated with a respective airbag activation state.Each airbag can be associated with an activated state and/or adeactivated state. The activated state can indicate that the airbag isON and can be deployed in the event a triggering condition exists (e.g.,an indication of an impact with another object, etc.). The deactivatedstate can indicate that the airbag is OFF and will not and/or cannot bedeployed in the event a triggering condition exists. As discussed infurther detail herein, an airbag can be deactivated in the event that itis covered by another airbag (e.g., and thus redundant or potentiallyhazardous if deployed) and/or based on sensor data indicative of anat-risk passenger (e.g., a passenger that achieves a height, age,weight, threshold, etc.).

The autonomous vehicle can include a passenger compartment defining alongitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and a vertical direction.The passenger compartment can include one or more vehicle seats tosupport one or more passengers of the vehicle and/or one or more vehicledoors to enable the one or more passengers to enter and/or exit thevehicle interior (e.g., passenger compartment). For instance, thepassenger compartment can include a floorboard with one or moremechanical components (e.g., sliding tracks, spring loaded levers,locking pins, and/or other locking mechanisms, etc.) placed thereinconfigured to couple one or more mechanical components (e.g., slidingskids, wheels, spring loaded levers, locking pins, and/or otherattachment mechanisms, etc.) of the vehicle seats to the floor of thepassenger compartment.

The passenger compartment can have a forward end and a rear end spacedapart from the forward end along the longitudinal direction. Thepassenger compartment can include a front panel disposed proximate tothe front end of the passenger compartment (e.g., more towards the frontend than the rear end), one or more vehicle control device(s) located atthe front panel, and/or a moveable cover panel located at the frontpanel. For example, the front panel can be located at a front windshieldof the autonomous vehicle. The vehicle control device(s), for example,can extend through, attach to, be affixed to, couple to, extend over,etc. the front panel of the vehicle and/or one or more components and/orportions of the front panel. The vehicle control device(s) can includeone or more manual touch points with which a passenger can interact tocontrol one or more aspects (e.g., steering, entertainment, maintenance,etc.) of the autonomous vehicle. The manual touch points, for example,can include one or more steering devices, climate control devices,entertainment devices, signaling devices (e.g., to activate one or moreturning signals, etc.), windshield devices (e.g., to activate windshieldwipers, cleaning fluid, etc.), etc.

As an example, the vehicle control device(s) can include a vehiclemotion control device. For instance, the vehicle motion control devicecan include a steering device configured to steer the autonomousvehicle. The steering device can include, for example, a steering wheel,joystick, and/or other type of form factor. The steering device, forexample, can be manually and/or autonomously moved (e.g., twisted,turned, etc.) to navigate and/or steer the autonomous vehicle. In someimplementations, the vehicle control device(s) can be disposed withinthe front panel, extend through/over/under etc. the front panel, beconnected to the front panel, etc. By way of example, the front panelcan include a receding portion and a steering device can be coupled tothe receding portion of the front panel by a telescopic actuatorconfigured to recede within the receding portion of the front panel. Inaddition, or alternatively, the front panel can include one or moretouch interfaces, interactive buttons, and/or one or more other controldevices disposed therein to manually control one or more other aspectsof the autonomous vehicle.

The cover panel located at the front panel can be configured to isolateand/or expose one or more of the control device(s). For example, asdescribed herein, the cover panel can extend through, attach to, coupleto, extend over/under, etc. the front panel of the vehicle and/or one ormore components and/or portions of the front panel. The cover panel canbe configured to isolate one or more of the control device(s) from thepassenger compartment and/or one or more passengers within the passengercompartment by covering the control device(s).

More particularly, the cover panel can be moveable (e.g., slidable,rollable, etc.) relative to the front panel between an isolatingposition and an exposing position. The cover panel can isolate (e.g.,cover, separate, detach, exclude, etc.) one or more of the vehiclecontrol device(s) from the passenger compartment when in the isolatingposition. For example, the cover panel can be configured tosubstantially, partially, and/or completely cover one or more of thecontrol device(s) of the autonomous vehicle such that the cover panelcan prevent a user from physically manipulating/contacting and/or seeingthe control device(s) when the cover panel is positioned at theisolating position. In this manner, the cover panel can be configured toisolate one or more of the vehicle control device(s) from one or morepassengers (e.g., from inferring with the one or more passengers, etc.)within the passenger compartment.

The cover panel can be moved away from one or more of the controldevice(s) when the cover panel is in the exposing position. For example,the control device(s) can be exposed to the passenger compartment of thevehicle such that a user can physically contact/manipulate and/or seethe control device(s) when the cover panel is in the exposing position.In this manner, a vehicle control device can be assessible bypassenger(s) within the passenger compartment of the vehicle while thecover panel is in the exposing position.

In some implementations, the cover panel can include a sliding panelcoupled to the front panel by one or more attachment mechanisms (e.g.,tracks, rails, hinges, etc.). For instance, the front panel can includeone or more mechanical components (e.g., sliding tracks, spring loadedlevers, locking pins, and/or other locking mechanisms, etc.) placedtherein configured to couple to one or more mechanical components (e.g.,sliding skids, wheels, spring loaded levers, locking pins, and/or anythe attachment mechanisms, etc.) of the cover panel. As an example, thefront panel can include one or more tracks configured to couple to oneor more sliding skids of the cover panel. In such a case, the coverpanel can be affixed to the front panel by one or more compatibleattachment mechanisms of the front panel (e.g., tracks, etc.) and thecover panel (e.g., sliding skids, etc.).

The cover panel can be configured to slide (e.g., via rollers, gliders,skids, etc.) along the one or more attachment mechanisms (e.g., tracks)to move between the isolating position and the exposing position (e.g.,to isolate and/or provide access to the vehicle control device(s)). Asan example, the one or more attachment mechanisms can be positionedalong the lateral direction of the front panel (e.g., tracks in whichwheels of the cover panel can fit). In such a case, the cover panel canbe configured to slide laterally across the front panel to isolate(e.g., at the isolation position) and/or expose (e.g., at the exposingposition) one or more of the control device(s). In addition, oralternatively, the one or more attachment mechanisms can be positionedalong the vertical direction of the front panel. In such a case, thecover panel can be configured to slide vertically (and/or in partlongitudinally) across the front panel to isolate (e.g., at theisolation position) and/or expose (e.g., at the exposing position) oneor more of the control device(s). By way of example, the cover panel caninclude a roll top panel. The roll top panel can be configured to extendvertically and/or longitudinally along the front panel to isolate one ormore of the control device(s) located at the front panel and retractvertically and/or longitudinally along the front panel to expose one ormore of the control device(s) located at the front panel.

The cover panel can be configured to be manually and/or automaticallymoved between the isolating position and the exposing position. Forinstance, a vehicle operator, passenger, remote operator, etc. caninteract with the cover panel and/or one or more components of the coverpanel to manually and/or automatically slide the cover panel between theisolating position and the exposing position. By way of example, avehicle operator and/or passenger can provide a force (e.g., push, pull,etc.) to the cover panel to move the cover panel between positions.

In addition, or alternatively, the cover panel can include and/or beassociated with a triggering mechanism (e.g., one or more interactivebuttons, switches, remote activation devices, etc.) that can initiatethe automatic movement between the isolating position and the exposingposition. For instance, the cover panel and/or the front panel caninclude a panel motor (e.g., direct current motor (e.g., permanentmagnet DC motor, series DC motor, shunt DC motor, compound DC motor,etc.), alternating current motor (e.g., induction motor, synchronousmotor, etc.), universal motor, etc.). The panel motor can be coupled toone or more of the mechanical component(s) of the cover panel and/or thefront panel. The panel motor can be configured to receive (e.g., via avehicle computing system, operations computing system, one or moretriggering mechanisms associated with the cover panel, etc.) andimplement instructions to move the cover panel between the isolatingposition and the exposing position in accordance with theimplementations described herein.

In some implementations, the cover panel can be locked, fastened, etc.(e.g., via one or more locking pins, one or more manual lock and keys,combination locks, and/or any other locking device) at an isolatingposition and/or an exposing position. By way of example, the cover panelcan be manually and/or automatically locked, fastened, etc. to a currentposition (e.g., isolating position, exposing position, etc.) such thatthe cover panel is prevented (at least in part) from being moved fromthe current position. In such a case, the cover panel can be manuallyand/or automatically unlocked before moving between the isolating andexposing positions. As an example, the cover panel can include and/or beassociated with a locking state. The cover panel can be prevented frommoving (e.g., locked at a current position) while the locking state isactive and movable (e.g., unlocked at a current position) between theisolating position and the exposing position while the locking state isinactive. Authorized personnel (e.g., maintenance operator, etc.) canutilize a key, code, etc. to unlock the cover panel.

In some implementations, the front panel and/or one or more componentslocated at the front panel can include one or more of a plurality ofairbags. For instance, the front panel can include a first airbag, avehicle control device can include a second airbag, and/or the coverpanel can include a third airbag. The first airbag, for example, can belocated within a portion of the front panel spaced apart from thevehicle control device in the lateral direction. By way of example, thevehicle control device can be located in front of a first passenger seatwithin the passenger compartment of the autonomous vehicle. In such acase, the first airbag can be located within the front panel in front ofa second passenger seat within the passenger compartment of theautonomous vehicle. The first passenger seat can be spaced apart fromthe second passenger seat along the lateral direction of the passengercompartment. In this manner, the first airbag can be laterally oppositeto the second airbag within a vehicle control device.

The airbags can be activated and/or deactivated based on the position ofthe cover panel. For example, at least one of the first airbag and/orthe second airbag can be activated based, at least in part, on aposition of the cover panel. An airbag activation state, for example,for the first airbag, the second airbag, and/or the third airbag caninclude an activated state or a deactivated state. As described herein,the activated state or the deactivated state can be indicative of anON/OFF condition for a respective airbag.

In some implementations, one or more of the first, second, and/or thirdairbags can be activated and/or deactivated based on whether the airbagis covered by another airbag. For example, while in the isolatingposition, the third airbag of the cover panel can cover the secondairbag of a control device. In addition, while in the exposing position,the third airbag of the cover panel can cover the first airbag of thefront panel (e.g., positioned in front of a front passenger seat). Ineach case, the covered airbag (e.g., the first and/or second airbags,etc.) can be deactivated to prevent interference with the coveringairbag (e.g., the third airbag). By way of example, the first airbag andthe third airbag can be in the activated state and the second airbag canbe in the deactivated state when the cover panel is in an isolatingposition. In addition, or alternatively, the second airbag and the thirdairbag can be in the activated state and the first airbag can be in thedeactivated state when the cover panel is in an exposing position.

A computing system can initiate one or more cover panel and/or airbagactions based on one or more aspects of the vehicle's operation (e.g.,vehicle operating mode, operational-status modes, etc.). For instance,the computing system can initiate a locking and/or unlocking action, apositional change, an airbag activation/deactivation, and/or any otheraction associated with the cover panel and/or the one or more airbags ofthe autonomous vehicle. As an example, the computing system can lockand/or unlock the cover panel and/or automatically reposition the coverpanel (and/or activate/deactivate one or more airbags) based on anoperating mode/state of the autonomous vehicle. For example, a computingsystem (e.g., a vehicle computing system, operations computing system,etc.) can obtain vehicle data indicative of a vehicle operating mode forthe autonomous vehicle. In some implementations, the vehicle data canalso include an airbag activation state for the first airbag, secondairbag, and/or third airbag.

The computing system can determine a first position of the cover panelfor the autonomous vehicle. The cover panel, for example, can bemoveable (e.g., while unlocked) along the front panel of the autonomousvehicle to isolate and expose a motion control device of the autonomousvehicle. The computing system can initiate a locking action and/or apositional change for the cover panel based, at least in part, on thevehicle data and the first position. The computing system can also, oralternatively, initiate the locking action based, at least in part, onthe operating mode of the autonomous vehicle. For example, the coverpanel can be locked in the isolating position when the autonomousvehicle is in a fully autonomous mode and/or unlocked when theautonomous vehicle is in a manual mode.

The locking action can include a change to the locking state (e.g.,active or inactive) associated with the cover panel and a correspondingaction (e.g., locking the cover panel to the first position, unlockingthe cover panel from the first position, etc.). The computing system caninitiate the locking action by generating control instructions forimplementing the locking action and providing the instructions to one ormore locking mechanisms (e.g., locking pins, etc.) configured to receiveand implement the instructions by locking and/or unlocking the coverpanel at the first position. The positional change can include a changefrom an exposing position to an isolating position, and/or vice versa.The computing system can initiate a positional change by generatingcontrol instructions for implementing the positional change andproviding the instructions to the panel motor configured to receive andimplement the instructions by moving the cover panel in accordance withthe positional change.

To initiate an action, the computing system can determine a desiredposition for the cover panel. The desired position can be determinedbased, at least in part, on the vehicle data. For example, the desiredposition for the cover panel can include the isolating position in theevent that the vehicle operating mode is a fully autonomous operatingmode. In this manner, one or more of the control device(s) can becovered and/or otherwise isolated from the passenger compartment whenmanual inputs to the control device(s) would interfere with theautonomous operation of the vehicle.

In addition, or alternatively, the desired position for the cover panelcan be the exposing position in the event that the vehicle operatingmode includes the manual operating mode and/or the semi-autonomousoperating mode. In this manner, one or more of the control device(s) canbe uncovered and/or otherwise accessible from the passenger compartment(e.g., to one or more passengers within the passenger compartment) toenable one or more manual inputs to the control device(s) to control oneor more operations of the autonomous vehicle.

In some implementations, the computing system can determine ananticipated desired position for the cover panel. For example, thecomputing system can determine (e.g., predict, anticipate, etc.) that anoperating mode change will occur at a future time (e.g., one or moreseconds, minutes, etc. subsequent to a current time) based on thevehicle data. This can include, for example, anticipating that theautonomous vehicle will change from a fully autonomous mode into asemi-autonomous or manual operating mode based on an upcoming routesegment (e.g., that is unmapped for the autonomous vehicle) and/orscenario (e.g., a crowded urban environment nearby a drop-off location).In such a case, the computing system can determine an anticipateddesired position for the cover panel based on the anticipated operatingmode change.

In addition, or alternatively, the computing system can determine thecurrent operating mode and/or a preceding operation mode of theautonomous vehicle based at least in part on the first position of thecover panel. By way of example, the computing system can determine thatthe autonomous vehicle is currently and/or was previously operating in amanual and/or semi-autonomous operating mode in the event that the firstposition of the cover panel is the exposing position. In addition, thecomputing system can determine that the autonomous vehicle is currentlyand/or was previously operating in a fully autonomous operating mode inthe event that the first position of the cover panel is the isolatingposition.

In some implementations, the computing system can obtain a currentlocking state for the cover panel. The current locking state canidentify whether the cover panel is locked and/or unlocked to the firstposition. In the event that the first position is the same as thedesired position, the computing system can ensure that the currentlocking state is active (e.g., the cover panel is locked to the firstposition). For instance, the computing system can initiate a lockingaction to lock the cover panel to the first position in the event thatthe current locking state is inactive (e.g., the cover panel isunlocked). In this manner, the cover panel can be securely fastened tothe exposing position (and/or an isolating position) if it is determinedthat the vehicle is operating in a manual mode (and/or an autonomousmode) to prevent the cover panel from interfering (e.g., by slidingand/or otherwise moving to along the front panel) with an operator ofthe vehicle.

In addition, or alternatively, the computing system can ensure that thecurrent locking state is inactive if the first position is differentthan the desired position and/or anticipated desired position. Forinstance, the computing system can initiate a locking action to unlockthe cover panel from the first position in the event that the currentlocking state is active. In this manner, the cover panel can be unlockedfrom the first position to enable a passenger or operator of the vehicleto manually move the cover panel. In addition, or alternatively, thecover panel can be unlocked from the first position to enable thecomputing system to initiate a positional change of the cover panel.

By way of example, the computing system can determine that the firstposition is different than the desired position and/or the anticipateddesired position. For instance, the first position can include theexposing position and a vehicle data can indicate that the autonomousvehicle is in a fully autonomous operating mode at the current timeand/or be predicted to be in the fully autonomous operating mode at afuture time. In such a case, the computing system can determine that thedesired and/or anticipated desired position of the cover panel is theisolating position and that the desired (and/or anticipated desired)isolating position is different from the current exposing position. Inaddition, or alternatively, the first position can include the isolatingposition and the vehicle data can indicate the vehicle is in the manualoperating mode at the current time and/or be predicted to be in themanual operating mode at a future time. In such a case, the computingsystem can determine that the desired (and/or anticipated desired)position of the cover panel is the exposing position and the desired(and/or anticipated desired) exposing position is different from thecurrent isolating position.

In response, the computing system can initiate the positional change ofthe cover panel from the first position to the desired position at thecurrent time, an anticipated future time, and/or any time therebetween.For example, the computing system can initiate the positional change ofthe cover panel based on the desired (and/or anticipated desired)position. For instance, the computing system can initiate the positionalchange of the cover panel from an isolating position to an exposingposition at a current time and/or before a predicted mode change from afully autonomous operating mode to a manual operating mode. In thismanner, one or more control devices of the autonomous vehicle can bemade available and/or exposed to the passenger compartment before theycan be used to operate the vehicle. As another example, the computingsystem can initiate the positional change of the cover panel from anexposing position to an isolating position at a current time and/orafter a predicted mode change from a manual operating mode to a fullyautonomous operating mode. In this manner, the one or more controldevices of the autonomous vehicle can be isolated from the passengercompartment after they can no longer be used to operate the vehicle.

In some implementations, the computing system can initiate one or moresafety actions based on the positional change of the cover panel. By wayof example, the computing system can determine one or more safetyactions to prepare for the positional change of the cover panel. The oneor more safety actions, for example, can include one or more motioncontrol planning actions (e.g., a parking action to park the vehiclebefore initiating the positional change of the cover panel), one or moreoperating mode actions (e.g., to change the operating mode of theautonomous vehicle), one or more operational-status actions (e.g., tochange the operational-status of the autonomous vehicle), one or moreairbag activation actions (e.g., to change the activation state of oneor more airbags of the autonomous vehicle), and/or any other action toensure the safe transition of the cover panel between an isolatingposition and an exposing position. As an example, the computing systemcan generate one or more control instructions (e.g., a first set ofinstructions) to control the autonomous vehicle to prepare for a changein the operating mode of the vehicle by parking at a safe location,securing the vehicle, determining whether passengers are in the vehicle,etc. The computing system can generate one or more control instructions(e.g., a second set of instructions) to initiate the positional changeof the cover panel after the autonomous vehicle is prepared for thechange in the operating mode of the vehicle.

As another example, the computing system can determine one or moreairbag activation actions based on a positional change of the coverpanel. For instance, the computing system can determine a desired airbagactivation state in a similar manner. The computing system can initiatean airbag activation state change for each of the airbags based, atleast in part, on the positional change (and/or an anticipatedpositional change) for the cover panel. For instance, as describedherein, the desired activation state for the first airbag and the thirdairbag can be the activated state and the desired activation state forthe second airbag can be the deactivated state when the motion controldevice of the autonomous vehicle is isolated by the cover panel.Moreover, the desired activation state for the second airbag and thethird airbag can be the activated state and the desired activation statefor the first airbag can be the deactivated state when the motioncontrol device of the autonomous vehicle is exposed by the cover panel.Thus, in the event that a positional change is from an isolatingposition to an exposing position, the computing system can activate thesecond airbag and deactivate the first airbag, and/or vice versa.

The systems and methods described herein provide a number of technicaleffects and benefits. For instance, by repositioning a covering panelwithin a passenger compartment of an autonomous vehicle based on thevehicle's operating mode, the computing system described herein cansafely and effectively facilitate the autonomous navigation of a vehicleby preventing interference to manual control devices of the vehicle.This can improve autonomous vehicle operations by selectively isolatingand/or exposing control elements of a vehicle based on the vehicle'soperational state and, consequently, the need for the control elements.In this manner, the systems and methods described herein can improvesafety by ensuring that the control elements of an autonomous vehicle donot interfere with passengers within the vehicle during autonomousnavigation. This, in turn, can proactively prevent potentially harmfulpassenger interference with the navigation of the vehicle. Moreover, byisolating the control elements from the passenger compartment, thesystems and methods described herein can reduce the need for decouplingcontrol elements of the vehicle (e.g., decoupling a steering wheelduring autonomous operations to prevent passenger interfere). This canreduce the processing and analysis needed for autonomous navigationwhile also reducing the potential stress, wear, and tear on a vehicle'shardware components that can be caused by interference to controlelements of the vehicle during autonomous operations.

Example aspects of the present disclosure can provide a number ofimprovements to computing technology such as, for example, autonomousvehicle computing technology. For instance, the systems and methods ofthe present disclosure can provide an improved approach for facilitatingthe autonomous operation of a vehicle by isolating control devices ofthe vehicle from a passenger compartment. For example, a computingsystem can obtain vehicle data indicative of a vehicle operating modefor the autonomous vehicle. The computing system can determine a firstposition of a cover panel for the autonomous vehicle. The cover panel,for example, can be moveable along a front panel of the autonomousvehicle to isolate and expose a motion control device of the autonomousvehicle. The computing system can initiate a positional change for thecover panel based, at least in part, on the vehicle data and the firstposition.

In this manner, the computing system can employ improved techniques(e.g., for moving a moveable cover panel) to reduce interference withpassengers of a ridesharing system. To this end, the computing systemcan accumulate and utilize newly available information such as, forexample, vehicle data descriptive of a current and/or anticipatedvehicle operating mode, and/or positional data descriptive of a currentand/or desired position of a moveable cover panel. In this way, thecomputing system provides a practical application that enables the safeand efficient autonomous navigation of vehicles, while reducinginterference between control components of a vehicle and passengerswithin the vehicle.

Various means can be configured to perform the methods and processesdescribed herein. For example, a computing system can include dataobtaining unit(s), positional unit(s), desired unit(s), initiationunit(s), and/or other means for performing the operations and functionsdescribed herein. In some implementations, one or more of the units maybe implemented separately. In some implementations, one or more unitsmay be a part of or included in one or more other units. These means caninclude processor(s), microprocessor(s), graphics processing unit(s),logic circuit(s), dedicated circuit(s), application-specific integratedcircuit(s), programmable array logic, field-programmable gate array(s),controller(s), microcontroller(s), and/or other suitable hardware. Themeans can also, or alternately, include software control meansimplemented with a processor or logic circuitry, for example. The meanscan include or otherwise be able to access memory such as, for example,one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such asrandom-access memory, read-only memory, electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory,flash/other memory device(s), data registrar(s), database(s), and/orother suitable hardware.

The means can be programmed to perform one or more algorithm(s) forcarrying out the operations and functions described herein. Forinstance, the means (e.g., data obtaining unit(s), etc.) can beconfigured to obtain vehicle data indicative of a vehicle operating modefor an autonomous vehicle. The means (e.g., positional unit(s), etc.)can be configured to determine a first position of a cover panel for theautonomous vehicle. The cover panel, for example, can be moveable alonga front panel of the autonomous vehicle to isolate and/or expose amotion control device of the autonomous vehicle. The means (e.g.,desired unit(s), etc.) can be configured to determine a desired positionfor cover panel based, at least in part, on the vehicle data. The means(e.g., initiation unit(s), etc.) can be configured to initiate apositional change for the cover panel based, at least in part, on thevehicle data and the first position. In addition, the means (e.g.,initiation unit(s), etc.) can be configured to determine that the firstposition is different than the desired position and, in response,initiate the positional change of the cover panel from the firstposition to the desired position.

With reference now to FIGS. 1-15 , example embodiments of the presentdisclosure will be discussed in further detail. FIG. 1 depicts a blockdiagram of an example system 100 for controlling the navigation of avehicle according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. Asillustrated, FIG. 1 shows an example system 100 that can include anautonomous vehicle 102, an operations computing system 104, one or moreremote computing devices 106, a communication network 108, a vehiclecomputing system 112, one or more sensors 114, sensor data 116, apositioning system 118, an autonomy computing system 120, map data 122,a perception system 124, a prediction system 126, a motion planningsystem 128, state data 130, prediction data 132, motion plan data 134, acommunication system 136, a vehicle control system 138, and ahuman-machine interface 140.

The operations computing system 104 can be associated with a serviceprovider (e.g., service entity) that can provide one or more vehicleservices to a plurality of users via a fleet of vehicles (e.g., serviceentity vehicles, third-party vehicles, etc.) that includes, for example,the autonomous vehicle 102. As an example, the operations computingsystem 104 can be associated with a service entity (e.g., one or moreservice provider(s)) associated with the provision of one or morevehicle services. The service entity can be an individual, a group ofindividuals, a company (e.g., a business entity, organization, etc.), agroup of entities (e.g., affiliated companies), and/or another type ofentity that offers and/or coordinates the provision of vehicleservice(s) to one or more users. For instance, a service entity canoffer vehicle service(s) to users via a software application (e.g., on auser computing device), via a website, and/or via other types ofinterfaces that allow a user to request a vehicle service. The vehicleservices can include user transportation services (e.g., by which thevehicle transports user(s) from one location to another), deliveryservices (e.g., by which a vehicle delivers item(s) to a requesteddestination location), courier services (e.g., by which a vehicleretrieves item(s) from a requested origin location and delivers the itemto a requested destination location), and/or other types of services.

The operations computing system 104 can include multiple components forperforming various operations and functions. For example, the operationscomputing system 104 can include and/or otherwise be associated with theone or more computing devices that are remote from the autonomousvehicle 102. The one or more computing devices of the operationscomputing system 104 can include one or more processors and one or morememory devices. The one or more memory devices of the operationscomputing system 104 can store instructions that when executed by theone or more processors cause the one or more processors to performoperations and functions associated with the operation of one or morevehicles (e.g., a fleet of vehicles), with the provision of vehicleservices, and/or other operations as discussed herein.

For example, the operations computing system 104 can be configured tomonitor and communicate with the autonomous vehicle 102 and/or its usersto coordinate a vehicle service provided by the autonomous vehicle 102.To do so, the operations computing system 104 can manage a database thatstores data including vehicle status data associated with the status ofvehicles including autonomous vehicle 102. The vehicle status data caninclude a state of a vehicle, a location of a vehicle (e.g., a latitudeand longitude of a vehicle), the availability of a vehicle (e.g.,whether a vehicle is available to pick-up or drop-off passengers and/orcargo, etc.), the state of objects internal and/or external to a vehicle(e.g., the physical dimensions and/or appearance of objectsinternal/external to the vehicle), one or more operational modes of thevehicle, etc.

For instance, the operations computing system 104 can include a serviceplatform. The service platform can include a plurality of back-endservices and front-end interfaces, which are accessible via one or moreAPIs. For example, the autonomous vehicle 102 and/or another computingsystem that is remote from the autonomous vehicle 102 cancommunicate/access the service platform (and its backend services) bycalling the one or more APIs. Such components can facilitate secure,bidirectional communications between autonomous vehicles and/or theservice entity's operations system (e.g., including a data center,etc.). The service platform can allow an autonomous vehicle to obtaindata from and/or communicate data to the operations computing system104. By way of example, a user can provide (e.g., via a user device) arequest for a vehicle service to the operations computing system 104associated with the service entity.

The operations computing system 104 can communicate with the one or moreremote computing devices 106 and/or the autonomous vehicle 102 via oneor more communications networks including the communications network108. The communications network 108 can exchange (send or receive)signals (e.g., electronic signals) or data (e.g., data from a computingdevice) and include any combination of various wired (e.g., twisted paircable) and/or wireless communication mechanisms (e.g., cellular,wireless, satellite, microwave, and radio frequency) and/or any desirednetwork topology (or topologies). For example, the communicationsnetwork 108 can include a local area network (e.g. intranet), wide areanetwork (e.g. Internet), wireless LAN network (e.g., via Wi-Fi),cellular network, a SATCOM network, VHF network, a HF network, a WiMAXbased network, and/or any other suitable communications network (orcombination thereof) for transmitting data to and/or from the autonomousvehicle 102.

Each of the one or more remote computing devices 106 can include one ormore processors and one or more memory devices. The one or more memorydevices can be used to store instructions that when executed by the oneor more processors of the one or more remote computing devices 106 causethe one or more processors to perform operations and/or functionsincluding operations and/or functions associated with the autonomousvehicle 102 including exchanging (e.g., sending and/or receiving) dataor signals with the autonomous vehicle 102, monitoring the state of theautonomous vehicle 102, and/or controlling the autonomous vehicle 102.The one or more remote computing devices 106 can communicate (e.g.,exchange data and/or signals) with one or more devices including theoperations computing system 104 and the autonomous vehicle 102 via thecommunications network 108.

The one or more remote computing devices 106 can include one or morecomputing devices (e.g., a desktop computing device, a laptop computingdevice, a smart phone, and/or a tablet computing device) that canreceive input or instructions from a user or exchange signals or datawith an item or other computing device or computing system (e.g., theoperations computing system 104). Further, the one or more remotecomputing devices 106 can be used to determine and/or modify one or morestates of the autonomous vehicle 102 including a location (e.g.,latitude and longitude), a velocity, acceleration, a trajectory, and/ora path of the autonomous vehicle 102 based in part on signals or dataexchanged with the autonomous vehicle 102. In some implementations, theoperations computing system 104 can include the one or more remotecomputing devices 106.

The autonomous vehicle 102 can be a ground-based vehicle (e.g., anautomobile, bike, scooter, other light electric vehicle, etc.), anaerial vehicle (e.g., aircraft, vertical take-off and landing vehicle),and/or another type of vehicle. The autonomous vehicle 102 can performvarious actions including driving, navigating, and/or operating, withminimal and/or no interaction from a human driver. The autonomousvehicle 102 can be configured to operate in one or more operating modesincluding, for example, a fully autonomous operating mode, asemi-autonomous operating mode, a manual operating mode, a park mode, asleep mode, and/or any other mode describing the operationalcapabilities of the vehicle 102. A fully autonomous (e.g., self-driving)operating mode can be one in which the vehicle 102 can provide drivingand navigational operation with minimal and/or no interaction from ahuman driver present in the vehicle 102. A semi-autonomous operatingmode can be one in which the vehicle 102 can operate with someinteraction from a human driver present in the vehicle. Park and/orsleep modes can be used between operating modes while the vehicleperforms various actions including waiting to provide a subsequentvehicle service, recharging between operating modes, etc. And, a manualoperating mode can be one in which the vehicle 102 can drive, navigate,etc. based on manual inputs from a human driver. The manual inputs, forexample, can be provided via one or more manual touchpoints within thevehicle as described in greater detail herein.

In addition, the autonomous vehicle 102 can be configured to operate inone or more operational status modes including, for example, apublic-facing mode (e.g., ridesharing mode), a maintenance mode (e.g.,where authorized personnel are authorized to access the vehicle), aprivate-facing mode, and/or any other mode describing the authorizationcapability of the vehicle 102. By way of example, a public-facing modecan be one in which the vehicle 102 can be authorized to service atransportation service request (e.g., a ride-sharing request, etc.). Themaintenance mode can be one in which the vehicle 102 can be authorizedto receive maintenance (e.g., from one or more authorized maintenanceservice providers, etc.). The private-facing mode can be one in whichthe vehicle 102 can be authorized for private use by a vehicle operator(e.g., via one or more manual inputs to one or more manual touchpointwhile in a manual operation mode, etc.) and/or where the vehicle 102performs a task for the service entity like vehicle-assistance, datacollection, etc. As an example, an instruction to change the operationalstatus mode can be received from an authorized user (e.g., via a userdevice of a maintenance provider, via user input of the maintenanceprovider to an onboard user device, etc.), operations computing system104 (e.g., service entity system, etc.), etc. to, for example, authorizethe vehicle 102 for manual control (e.g., to tow the vehicle 102, testone or more vehicle components, etc.), authorized the vehicle 102 forfull autonomous control (e.g., to provide an autonomous ride-sharingservice, etc.).

An indication, record, and/or other data indicative of the operatingmode, the operational status mode, the state of the vehicle, the stateof one or more passengers of the vehicle, and/or the state of anenvironment including one or more objects (e.g., the physical dimensionsand/or appearance of the one or more objects) can be stored locally inone or more memory devices of the autonomous vehicle 102. Additionally,the autonomous vehicle 102 can provide data indicative of the operatingmode, the operational status mode (e.g., ridesharing, etc.), the stateof the vehicle, the state of one or more passengers of the vehicle,and/or the state of an environment to the operations computing system104, which can store an indication, record, and/or other data indicativeof the operating mode, the operational status mode (e.g., ridesharing,etc.), and/or the state of the one or more objects within a predefineddistance of the autonomous vehicle 102 in one or more memory devicesassociated with the operations computing system 104 (e.g., remote fromthe vehicle). Furthermore, the autonomous vehicle 102 can provide dataindicative of the state of the one or more objects (e.g., physicaldimensions and/or appearance of the one or more objects) within apredefined distance of the autonomous vehicle 102 to the operationscomputing system 104, which can store an indication, record, and/orother data indicative of the state of the one or more objects within apredefined distance of the autonomous vehicle 102 in one or more memorydevices associated with the operations computing system 104 (e.g.,remote from the vehicle).

The autonomous vehicle 102 can include and/or be associated with thevehicle computing system 112. The vehicle computing system 112 caninclude one or more computing devices located onboard the autonomousvehicle 102. For example, the one or more computing devices of thevehicle computing system 112 can be located on and/or within theautonomous vehicle 102. The one or more computing devices of the vehiclecomputing system 112 can include various components for performingvarious operations and functions. For instance, the one or morecomputing devices of the vehicle computing system 112 can include one ormore processors and one or more tangible, non-transitory, computerreadable media (e.g., memory devices). The one or more tangible,non-transitory, computer readable media can store instructions that whenexecuted by the one or more processors cause the autonomous vehicle 102(e.g., its computing system, one or more processors, and other devicesin the autonomous vehicle 102) to perform operations and functions,including those described herein.

The vehicle computing system 112 can store and/or otherwise accessvehicle data associated with the autonomous vehicle 102. The vehicledata, for example, can include operational data associated with anoperating mode of the vehicle 102 and/or operational states for one ormore components of the vehicle 102. As an example, the vehicle data canbe indicative of an operating mode (e.g., vehicle autonomy mode) and/oran operational status mode (e.g., ridesharing, etc.) for the autonomousvehicle 102.

More particularly, the vehicle data can identify the current operatingmode (and/or a current operational-status mode) of the vehicle 102and/or one or more operating modes (and/or operational-status modes)preceding and/or subsequent to the current vehicle operating mode(and/or current operational-status mode). For example, in someimplementations, the vehicle data can identify an anticipated operatingmode. The anticipated operating mode can include a predicted operatingmode at a future point in time (e.g., one or more seconds, minutes, etc.subsequent to the current time). The vehicle computing system 112 candetermine an anticipated operating mode, for example, based on one ormore operational constraints of the autonomous vehicle 102, riderpreferences associated with a passenger of the autonomous vehicle 102,map data 122 indicative of the surrounding environment of the autonomousvehicle, a vehicle route, and/or any other data associated with theoperation of the vehicle 102.

In some implementations, the vehicle data can include activation dataassociated with the operational state of one or more components of thevehicle 102. As an example, the vehicle can include a plurality ofairbags (e.g., a first, second, and third airbag, etc.) placedthroughout the vehicle's interior (e.g., a passenger compartment of thevehicle). In such a case, the activation data can include an airbagactivation state for one or more of the airbags located within thevehicle interior (e.g., passenger compartment). For instance, each ofthe plurality airbags can be associated with a respective airbagactivation state. Each airbag can be associated with an activated stateand/or a deactivated state. The activated state can indicate that theairbag is ON and can be deployed in the event a triggering conditionexists (e.g., an indication of an impact with another object, etc.). Thedeactivated state can indicate that the airbag is OFF and will notand/or cannot be deployed in the event a triggering condition exists. Asdiscussed in further detail herein, an airbag can be deactivated in theevent that it is covered by another airbag (e.g., and thus redundant orpotentially hazardous if deployed) and/or based on sensor dataindicative of an at-risk passenger (e.g., a passenger that achieves aheight, age, weight, threshold, etc.).

As depicted in FIG. 1 , the vehicle computing system 112 can include oneor more sensors 114, the positioning system 118, the autonomy computingsystem 120, the communication system 136, the vehicle control system(s)138, and the human-machine interface 140. One or more of these systemscan be configured to communicate with one another via a communicationchannel. The communication channel can include one or more data buses(e.g., controller area network (CAN)), on-board diagnostics connector(e.g., OBD-II), and/or a combination of wired and/or wirelesscommunication links. The onboard systems can exchange (e.g., send and/orreceive) data, messages, and/or signals amongst one another via thecommunication channel.

The sensor(s) 114 can include a plurality of external sensors (e.g.,LiDAR sensors, outward facing cameras, etc.) and/or internal sensors(e.g., tactile sensors (e.g., touch sensors within seats of a vehicleinterior, on the handle of a vehicle door, etc.), internal facingmicrophones, internal facing cameras, etc.). As discussed herein, theinternal sensor(s) and/or external sensor(s) can be utilized by thevehicle computing system 112 to gather internal sensor data associatedwith a vehicle 102 such as, for example, occupancy data identifying thestate (e.g., the position and/or orientation) of one or more passengersriding within the vehicle 102.

More particularly, the vehicle computing system 112 can include and/orbe associated with a plurality of external sensors (e.g., LiDAR sensors,outward facing cameras, etc.) and/or interior sensors (e.g., internalfacing cameras/heat sensors, internal facing microphones, tactilesensors (e.g., touch sensors within seats of a passenger compartment, onthe handle of a vehicle door, etc.), etc.). With reference to FIG. 2A,the sensor(s) 114 can be located on various parts of the autonomousvehicle 102 including the passenger compartment 205, a front side, rearside, left side, right side, top, or bottom of the vehicle body 210,etc. For instance, the sensor(s) 114 can be placed throughout thevehicle 102 to obtain sensor data indicative of the presence of objectsand/or humans currently and/or predicted to be within and/or proximateto the vehicle's interior 205. The sensor data, for example, can beobtained by the interior sensors such as one or more cameras configuredto obtain image data, one or more microphones configured to obtainauditory data, one or more tactile sensors configured to obtain tactiledata (e.g., to detect a touch to a seat to determine whether an objectand/or passenger is placed on or sitting in a passenger seat, etc.),heat sensor(s), weight sensor(s), etc. In addition, or alternatively,the sensor data can be obtained by the external sensors such as one ormore external sensors configured to detect a passenger or object in theprocess of entering and/or exiting the vehicle's interior 205. Forinstance, the external sensors can include infrared sensors that wraparound the vehicle's body 210 (e.g., a side of the vehicle that includesan entry and/or exit to the vehicle, etc.), camera(s), LiDAR sensors,microphones, tactile sensors (e.g., to detect a touch to a door (e.g., ahandle of the door) of the vehicle, etc.), etc. In addition, othersensors can be utilized to generate and/or obtain sensor data such as,for example, ultrasonic sensors, RADAR sensor (e.g., placed along theside of the vehicle, etc.) and/or any other sensor capable of generatingand/or obtaining data indicative of an object and/or passenger'sproximity to the vehicle 102.

Turning back to FIG. 1 , the sensor(s) 114 can be configured to generateand/or store data including the sensor data 116. The sensor data 116 caninclude the internal sensor data, external sensor discussed above, andwell an autonomy sensor data associated with one or more objects thatare proximate to the autonomous vehicle 102 (e.g., within range or afield of view of one or more of the one or more sensors 114 (e.g.,external sensor(s)). For instance, the sensor(s) 114 can include a LightDetection and Ranging (LIDAR) system, a Radio Detection and Ranging(RADAR) system, one or more cameras (e.g., visible spectrum camerasand/or infrared cameras), motion sensors, and/or other types of imagingcapture devices and/or sensors. The autonomy sensor data can includeimage data, radar data, LIDAR data, and/or other data acquired by thesensor(s) 114. The one or more objects can include, for example,pedestrians, vehicles, bicycles, and/or other objects. The autonomysensor data can be indicative of locations associated with the one ormore objects within the surrounding environment of the autonomousvehicle 102 at one or more times. For example, the autonomy sensor datacan be indicative of one or more LIDAR point clouds associated with theone or more objects within the surrounding environment. The sensor(s)114 can provide autonomy sensor data to the autonomy computing system120.

In addition to the sensor data 116, the autonomy computing system 120can retrieve or otherwise obtain data including the map data 122. Themap data 122 can provide detailed information about the surroundingenvironment of the autonomous vehicle 102. For example, the map data 122can provide information regarding: the identity and location ofdifferent roadways, road segments, buildings, or other items or objects(e.g., lampposts, crosswalks and/or curb), the location and directionsof traffic lanes (e.g., the location and direction of a parking lane, aturning lane, a bicycle lane, or other lanes within a particular roadwayor other travel way and/or one or more boundary markings associatedtherewith), traffic control data (e.g., the location and instructions ofsignage, traffic lights, or other traffic control devices), and/or anyother map data that provides information that assists the vehiclecomputing system 112 in processing, analyzing, and perceiving itssurrounding environment and its relationship thereto.

The vehicle computing system 112 can include a positioning system 118.The positioning system 118 can determine a current position of theautonomous vehicle 102. The positioning system 118 can be any device orcircuitry for analyzing the position of the autonomous vehicle 102. Forexample, the positioning system 118 can determine position by using oneor more of inertial sensors, a satellite positioning system, based onIP/MAC address, by using triangulation and/or proximity to networkaccess points or other network components (e.g., cellular towers and/orWi-Fi access points) and/or other suitable techniques. The position ofthe autonomous vehicle 102 can be used by various systems of the vehiclecomputing system 112 and/or provided to one or more remote computingdevices (e.g., the operations computing system 104 and/or the remotecomputing device 106). For example, the map data 122 can provide theautonomous vehicle 102 relative positions of the surrounding environmentof the autonomous vehicle 102. The autonomous vehicle 102 can identifyits position within the surrounding environment (e.g., across six axes)based at least in part on the data described herein. For example, theautonomous vehicle 102 can process the autonomy sensor data (e.g., LIDARdata, camera data) to match it to a map of the surrounding environmentto get an understanding of the vehicle's position within thatenvironment (e.g., transpose the autonomous vehicle's 102 positionwithin its surrounding environment).

The autonomy computing system 120 can include a perception system 124, aprediction system 126, a motion planning system 128, and/or othersystems that cooperate to perceive the surrounding environment of theautonomous vehicle 102 and determine a motion plan for controlling themotion of the autonomous vehicle 102 accordingly. In some examples, manyof the functions performed by the perception system 124, predictionsystem 126, and motion planning system 128 can be performed, in whole orin part, by a single system and/or multiple systems that share one ormore computing resources. For instance, one or more of the perceptionsystem 124, prediction system 126, and motion planning system 128 can becombined into one system configured to perform the functions of each ofthe systems. In addition, or alternatively, the one or more of theperception system 124, prediction system 126, and motion planning system128 can be configured to share and/or have access to one or more commoncomputing resources (e.g., a shared memory, communication interfaces,processors, etc.).

As an example, the autonomy computing system 120 can receive the sensordata 116 from the one or more sensors 114, attempt to determine thestate of the surrounding environment and/or the vehicle's interior byperforming various processing techniques on the sensor data 116 (and/orother data). The autonomy computing system 120 can generate anappropriate motion plan through the surrounding environment based onstate of the surrounding environment and the vehicle's interior. In someexamples, the autonomy computing system 120 can use the sensor data 116as input to a one or more machine-learned models that can detect objectswithin the sensor data 116, forecast future motion of those objects, andselect an appropriate motion plan for the autonomous vehicle 102. Themachine-learned model(s) can be included within one system and/or shareone or more computing resources.

As another example, the perception system 124 can identify one or moreobjects that are proximate to and/or within the autonomous vehicle 102based on sensor data 116 received from the sensor(s) 114. In particular,in some implementations, the perception system 124 can determine, foreach object, state data 130 that describes the current state of suchobject. As examples, the state data 130 for each object can describe anestimate of the object's: current location (e.g., relative to one ormore interior vehicle components, the surrounding environment of thevehicle, etc.); current speed; current heading (which may also bereferred to together as velocity); current acceleration; currentorientation (e.g., with respect to the direction of travel of thevehicle, etc.); size/footprint (e.g., as represented by a bounding shapesuch as a bounding polygon or polyhedron); class of characterization(e.g., vehicle class versus pedestrian class versus bicycle class versusother class); yaw rate; and/or other state information. In someimplementations, the perception system 124 can determine state data 130for each object over a number of iterations. In particular, theperception system 124 can update the state data 130 for each object ateach iteration. Thus, the perception system 124 can detect and trackobjects (e.g., vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, etc.) that are proximateand/or within the autonomous vehicle 102 over time, and thereby producea presentation of the world around and within the vehicle 102 along withits state (e.g., a presentation of the objects of interest within ascene/passenger compartment at the current time along with the states ofthe objects).

The prediction system 126 can receive the state data 130 from theperception system 124 and predict one or more future locations and/ormoving paths for each object based on such state data 130. For example,the prediction system 126 can generate prediction data 132 associatedwith each of the respective one or more objects proximate and/or withinthe vehicle 102. The prediction data 132 can be indicative of one ormore predicted future locations of each respective object. Theprediction data 132 can be indicative of a predicted path (e.g.,predicted trajectory) of at least one object within the interior and/orthe surrounding environment of the autonomous vehicle 102. For example,the predicted path (e.g., trajectory) can indicate a path along whichthe respective object is predicted to travel over time (and/or thevelocity at which the object is predicted to travel along the predictedpath). The prediction system 126 can provide the prediction data 132associated with the one or more objects to the motion planning system128.

The motion planning system 128 can determine a motion plan and generatemotion plan data 134 for the autonomous vehicle 102 based at least inpart on the prediction data 132 (and/or other data). The motion plandata 134 can include vehicle actions with respect to the objectsproximate to the autonomous vehicle 102 as well as the predictedmovements. For instance, the motion planning system 128 can implement anoptimization algorithm that considers cost data associated with avehicle action as well as other objective functions (e.g., costfunctions based on speed limits, traffic lights, and/or other aspects ofthe environment), if any, to determine optimized variables that make upthe motion plan data 134. By way of example, the motion planning system128 can determine that the autonomous vehicle 102 can perform a certainaction (e.g., pass an object) without increasing the potential risk tothe autonomous vehicle 102 and/or violating any traffic laws (e.g.,speed limits, lane boundaries, signage). The motion plan data 134 caninclude a planned trajectory, velocity, acceleration, and/or otheractions of the autonomous vehicle 102.

As one example, in some implementations, the motion planning system 128can determine a cost function for each of one or more candidate motionplans for the autonomous vehicle 102 based at least in part on thecurrent locations and/or predicted future locations and/or moving pathsof the objects. For example, the cost function can describe a cost(e.g., over time) of adhering to a particular candidate motion plan. Forexample, the cost described by a cost function can increase when theautonomous vehicle 102 approaches impact with another object and/ordeviates from a preferred pathway (e.g., a predetermined travel route).

Thus, given information about the current locations and/or predictedfuture locations and/or moving paths of objects, the motion planningsystem 128 can determine a cost of adhering to a particular candidatepathway. The motion planning system 128 can select or determine a motionplan for the autonomous vehicle 102 based at least in part on the costfunction(s). For example, the motion plan that minimizes the costfunction can be selected or otherwise determined. The motion planningsystem 128 then can provide the selected motion plan to a vehiclecontrol system 138 that controls one or more vehicle controls (e.g.,actuators or other devices that control gas flow, steering, braking,etc.) to execute the selected motion plan.

The motion planning system 128 can provide the motion plan data 134 withdata indicative of the vehicle actions, a planned trajectory, and/orother operating parameters to the vehicle control systems 138 toimplement the motion plan data 134 for the autonomous vehicle 102.

The vehicle computing system 112 can include a communications system 136configured to allow the vehicle computing system 112 (and it's one ormore computing devices) to communicate with other computing devices. Thevehicle computing system 112 can use the communications system 136 tocommunicate with the operations computing system 104 and/or one or moreother remote computing devices (e.g., the one or more remote computingdevices 106) over one or more networks (e.g., via one or more wirelesssignal connections, etc.). In some implementations, the communicationssystem 136 can allow communication among one or more of the systemson-board the autonomous vehicle 102. The communications system 136 canalso be configured to enable the autonomous vehicle to communicate withand/or provide and/or receive data and/or signals from a remotecomputing device 106 associated with a user and/or an item (e.g., anitem to be picked-up for a courier service). The communications system136 can utilize various communication technologies including, forexample, radio frequency signaling and/or Bluetooth low energy protocol.The communications system 136 can include any suitable components forinterfacing with one or more networks, including, for example, one ormore: transmitters, receivers, ports, controllers, antennas, and/orother suitable components that can help facilitate communication. Insome implementations, the communications system 136 can include aplurality of components (e.g., antennas, transmitters, and/or receivers)that allow it to implement and utilize multiple-input, multiple-output(MIMO) technology and communication techniques.

The vehicle computing system 112 can include one or more human-machineinterfaces 140. For example, the vehicle computing system 112 caninclude one or more display devices located on the vehicle computingsystem 112. A display device (e.g., screen of a tablet, laptop, and/orsmartphone) can be viewable by a user of the autonomous vehicle 102 thatis located in the front of the autonomous vehicle 102 (e.g., driver'sseat, front passenger seat). Additionally, or alternatively, a displaydevice can be viewable by a user of the autonomous vehicle 102 that islocated in the rear of the autonomous vehicle 102 (e.g., a passengerseat in the back of the vehicle). The human-machine interface(s) 140 caninclude one or more steering devices, signaling devices, brakingdevices, etc. that can allow a user to provide input that can be used toexplicitly control the motion of the autonomous vehicle 102 (e.g., in amanual mode), signal actions/intents to the exterior environment, etc.and/or at least provide suggested input for the autonomous vehicle 102to consider while autonomously operating the vehicle.

Turning to FIG. 2B, FIG. 2B depicts an example autonomous passengercompartment 205 according to example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. For example, a passenger compartment 205 can define alongitudinal direction 250 (e.g., along a longitudinal axis), a lateraldirection 255 (e.g., along a lateral axis), and a vertical direction(e.g., perpendicular to the lateral and longitudinal axes). Thepassenger compartment 205 can include one or more vehicle seats 215A-B,220, 225 to support one or more passengers of the vehicle. For instance,the passenger compartment 205 can include a floorboard 240 with one ormore mechanical components (e.g., sliding tracks, spring loaded levers,locking pins, and/or other locking mechanisms, etc.) placed thereinconfigured to couple one or more mechanical components (e.g., slidingskids, wheels, spring loaded levers, locking pins, and/or any theattachment mechanisms, etc.) of the vehicle seats 215, 220, 225 to thefloor 240 of the passenger compartment 205. The mechanical componentscan be placed throughout the floor 240 of the passenger compartment 205to enable a plurality of different seat configurations within theautonomous vehicle.

The passenger compartment 205 can have a forward end 260 and a rear end265 spaced apart from the forward end 260 along the longitudinaldirection 250. The passenger compartment 205 can include a front panel245 disposed proximate to the forward end 260 of the passengercompartment 205 (e.g., more towards the forward end 260 than the rearend 265), one or more vehicle control device(s) 270 located at the frontpanel 245, and/or a moveable cover panel located at the front panel 245.One or more of the vehicle control device(s) 170 and/or the moveablecover panel can be located at the front panel 245 in that, for example,it can extend through, attach to, be affixed to, couple to, extend over,extend under, etc. the front panel 245 of the vehicle and/or one or morecomponents and/or portions of the front panel 245. The front panel 245can be located at a front windshield of the autonomous vehicle such thatit is nearby, proximate, closer to, etc. a front windshield of theautonomous vehicle than an opposite end. The vehicle control device(s)270 can include one or more manual touch points/mechanisms with which apassenger can interact to control one or more aspects (e.g., steering,signaling, deceleration/acceleration, entertainment, maintenance, etc.)of the autonomous vehicle. The manual touch points, for example, caninclude one or more steering devices, climate control devices,entertainment devices, signaling devices (e.g., to activate one or moreturning signals, etc.), windshield devices (e.g., to activate windshieldwipers, cleaning fluid, etc.), acceleration/braking pedals, etc.

As an example, the vehicle control device(s) 270 can include a vehiclemotion control device. For instance, the vehicle motion control devicecan include a steering device configured to steer the autonomous vehicleand/or one or more acceleration/braking devices associated withcontrolling the acceleration and/or deceleration of the vehicle (e.g., abraking/acceleration paddles/buttons/pedals, etc.). The steering devicecan include, for example, a steering wheel, joystick, and/or other typeof form factor. The steering device, for example, can be manually and/orautonomously moved (e.g., twisted, turned, etc.) to navigate and/orsteer the autonomous vehicle. In some implementations, the vehiclecontrol device(s) 270 can be disposed within the front panel 245, extendthrough/over/under etc. the front panel 245, be connected to the frontpanel 245, etc. By way of example, the front panel 245 can include areceding portion 275 and a steering device can be coupled to thereceding portion 275 of the front panel 245 by a telescopic actuatorconfigured to recede within the receding portion 275 of the front panel245. In addition, or alternatively, the front panel 245 can include oneor more touch interfaces, interactive buttons, and/or one or more othercontrol devices disposed therein to manually control one or more otheraspects of the autonomous vehicle.

FIG. 3A depicts an example configurable cover panel 300 according toexample embodiments of the present disclosure. The cover panel 300located at the front panel 245 can be configured to isolate and/orexpose one or more of the control device(s) 270. For example, asdescribed herein, the cover panel 300 can extend through, attach to,couple to, extend over/under, etc. the front panel 245 of the vehicleand/or one or more components and/or portions of the front panel 245.The cover panel 300 can be configured to isolate one or more of thecontrol device(s) 270 from the passenger compartment and/or one or morepassengers within the passenger compartment by covering the controldevice(s) 270.

More particularly, the cover panel 300 can be moveable (e.g., slidable,rollable, etc.) relative to the front panel 245 between an isolatingposition 310 and an exposing position 305. The cover panel 300 canisolate (e.g., cover, separate, detach, exclude, etc.) one or more ofthe vehicle control device(s) 270 from the passenger compartment when inthe isolating position 310. For example, the cover panel 300 can beconfigured to substantially, partially, and/or completely cover one ormore of the control device(s) 270 of the autonomous vehicle such thatthe cover panel 300 can prevent a user from physicallymanipulating/contacting and/or seeing the control device(s) 270 when thecover panel 300 is positioned at the isolating position 310. In thismanner, the cover panel 300 can be configured to isolate one or more ofthe vehicle control device(s) 270 from one or more passengers (e.g.,from inferring with the one or more passengers, etc.) within thepassenger compartment.

The example positions of the cover panel 300 are provided by exampleonly and are not intended to be limiting unless explicitly stated. Insome implementations, the cover panel 300 may be positioned under thefront panel 245 to isolate other vehicle control device(s) 270 such as,for example, one or more pedals (e.g., foot pedals, brake pedals,acceleration pedals, etc.) and/or any other devices/mechanisms locatedunder the front panel 245.

The cover panel 300 can be moved away from the one or more of thecontrol device(s) 270 when the cover panel 300 is in the exposingposition 305. For example, the control device(s) 270 can be exposed tothe passenger compartment of the vehicle such that a user can physicallycontact/manipulate and/or see the control device(s) 270 when the coverpanel 300 is in the exposing position 305. In this manner, a vehiclecontrol device can be assessible by passenger(s) within the passengercompartment of the vehicle while the cover panel 300 is in the exposingposition 305.

In some implementations, the cover panel 300 can include a sliding panelcoupled to the front panel 245 (and/or one or more component under thefront panel 245) by one or more attachment mechanisms 315 (e.g., tracks,rails, hinges, etc.). For instance, the front panel 245 can include oneor more mechanical components (e.g., sliding tracks, spring loadedlevers, locking pins, and/or other locking mechanisms, etc.) placedtherein (and/or under) configured to couple to one or more mechanicalcomponents (e.g., sliding skids, wheels, spring loaded levers, lockingpins, and/or any the attachment mechanisms, etc.) of the cover panel300. As an example, the front panel 245 (and/or one or more componentsunderneath the front panel 245) can include one or more tracks 315configured to couple to one or more sliding skids of the cover panel300. In such a case, the cover panel 300 can be affixed to the frontpanel 245 by one or more compatible attachment mechanisms of the frontpanel 245 (e.g., tracks on/under/within the front panel 245, etc.) andthe cover panel 300 (e.g., sliding skids, etc.).

The cover panel 300 can be configured to slide (at 320) (e.g., viarollers, gliders, skids, etc.) along the one or more attachmentmechanisms 315 (e.g., tracks) to move between the exposing position 305and the isolating position 310 and (e.g., to isolate and/or provideaccess to the vehicle control device(s)). As an example, the one or moreattachment mechanisms can be positioned along the lateral direction 255of the front panel 245 (e.g., tracks in which wheels of the cover panel300 can fit). In such a case, the cover panel 300 can be configured toslide laterally 255 (in both directions) across the front panel 245 toisolate (e.g., at the isolating position 310) and/or expose (e.g., atthe exposing position 305) one or more of the control device(s) 270.

In addition, or alternatively, with reference to FIG. 3B, the one ormore attachment mechanisms can be positioned along the verticaldirection of the front panel 245. In such a case, the cover panel 300can be configured to slide vertically (e.g., along the vertical axis280) (and/or in part longitudinally (e.g., along the longitudinal axis250) across the front panel 245 (e.g., at 350) to isolate (e.g., at theisolating position 310) and/or expose (e.g., at the exposing position305) one or more of the control device(s) 270. By way of example, thecover panel 300 can include a roll top panel. The roll top panel can beconfigured to extend vertically (e.g., along the vertical axis 270)and/or longitudinally (e.g., along the longitudinal axis 250) along thefront panel 245 to isolate one or more of the control device(s) 270located at the front panel 245 and retract vertically (e.g., along thevertical axis 270) and/or longitudinally (e.g., along the longitudinalaxis 250) along the front panel 245 to expose one or more of the controldevice(s) 270 located at the front panel 245.

As another example, the one or more attachment mechanisms can bepositioned along one or more components (e.g., foot well, etc.)underneath the front panel in the vertical/lateral/longitudinaldirection of the passenger compartment. In such a case, the cover panel300 can be configured to slide vertically/laterally/longitudinally, etc.(e.g., along the a respective axis) across the one or more components toisolate (e.g., at the isolating position 310) and/or expose (e.g., atthe exposing position 305) one or more of the control device(s) 270under the front panel 245.

The cover panel 300 can be configured to be manually and/orautomatically moved between the isolating position 310 and the exposingposition 305. For instance, a vehicle operator, passenger, remoteoperator, etc. can interact with the cover panel 300 and/or one or morecomponents of the cover panel 300 to manually and/or automatically slidethe cover panel 300 between the isolating position 310 and the exposingposition 305. By way of example, a vehicle operator and/or passenger canprovide a force (e.g., push, pull, etc.) to the cover panel 300 to movethe cover panel 300 between positions.

In addition, or alternatively, the cover panel 300 can include and/or beassociated with a triggering mechanism (e.g., one or more interactivebuttons, switches, remote activation devices, etc.) that can initiatethe automatic movement between the isolating position 310 and theexposing position 305. For instance, the cover panel 300 and/or thefront panel 245 can include a panel motor (e.g., direct current motor(e.g., permanent magnet DC motor, series DC motor, shunt DC motor,compound DC motor, etc.), alternating current motor (e.g., inductionmotor, synchronous motor, etc.), universal motor, etc.). The panel motorcan be coupled to one or more of the mechanical component(s) of thecover panel 300 and/or the front panel 245. The panel motor can beconfigured to receive (e.g., via a vehicle computing system, operationscomputing system, one or more triggering mechanisms associated with thecover panel 300, etc.) and implement instructions to move the coverpanel 300 between the isolating position 310 and the exposing position305 in accordance with the implementations described herein.

In some implementations, the cover panel 300 can be locked, fastened,etc. (e.g., via one or more locking pins, one or more manual lock andkeys, combination locks, magnetic locks, electrical locks, and/or anyother locking device) at an isolating position 310 and/or an exposingposition 305. By way of example, the cover panel 300 can be manuallyand/or automatically locked, fastened, etc. to a current position (e.g.,isolating position 310, exposing position 305, etc.) such that the coverpanel 300 is prevented (at least in part) from being moved from thecurrent position. In such a case, the cover panel 300 can be manually(e.g., with a key, etc.) and/or automatically unlocked before movingbetween the isolating 310 and exposing positions 305. As an example, thecover panel 300 can include and/or be associated with a locking state.The cover panel 300 can be prevented from moving (e.g., locked at acurrent position) while the locking state is active and movable (e.g.,unlocked at a current position) between the isolating position 310 andthe exposing position 305 while the locking state is inactive.Authorized personnel (e.g., maintenance operator, etc.) can utilize akey, code, etc. to unlock the cover panel 300.

FIGS. 4A-4D depict an example cover panel configuration according toexample embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4A depicts aconfiguration 405 where the cover panel 300 is at the exposing position305 such that a steering device 410 is exposed to the passengercompartment 205 (and/or one or more passenger seats 215A-B of thepassenger compartment 205). The steering device 410 can be coupled tothe receding portion 275 of the front panel 245 by an actuator 415(e.g., telescopic actuator, linear actuator, etc.) configured to recedewithin the receding portion 275 of the front panel 245. The recedingmotion can be performed automatically via a motor, servo, etc. and/ormanually via a user provided force.

At configuration 405, the actuator 415 can be extended such that thesteering device 410 extends out from the receding portion 275. FIG. 4Bdepicts another configuration 420 where the cover panel 300 is at theexposing position 305. In configuration 420 the actuator 415 can beretracted such that the steering device 410 recedes within the recedingportion 275 of the front panel 245. In some implementations, theactuator 415 can be configured to retract within the receding portion275 of the front panel 245 before the cover panel 300 moves from theexposing position 305. For example, FIG. 4C depicts configuration 430 inwhich the cover panel 300 is partially moved across the steering device410. The steering device 410 can be retracted within the recedingportion 275 of the front panel 245 to allow the cover panel 300 to coverthe steering device 410. FIG. 4D depicts configuration 440 in which thecover panel 300 is at the isolating position 310. At isolating position310, the steering device can be covered and/or otherwise isolated fromthe passenger compartment 205 (and/or one or more passenger seats 215A-Bof the passenger compartment 205).

Turning to FIG. 5 , FIG. 5 depicts an example airbag layout 500according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. As depicted,the front panel 245 and/or one or more components located at the frontpanel 245 can include one or more of a plurality of airbags 505, 510,515. For instance, the front panel 245 can include a first airbag 505, avehicle control device 270 can include a second airbag 510, and/or thecover panel 300 can include a third airbag 515. The first airbag 505,for example, can be located within a portion of the front panel 245spaced apart from the vehicle control device 270 in the lateraldirection (e.g., along the lateral axis 255). By way of example, thevehicle control device 270 can be located in front of a first passengerseat (e.g., a potential “driver seat”) within the passenger compartmentof the autonomous vehicle. In such a case, the first airbag 505 can belocated within the front panel 245 in front of a second passenger seatwithin the passenger compartment of the autonomous vehicle (e.g., a“front passenger seat”). The first passenger seat can be spaced apartfrom the second passenger seat along the lateral direction (e.g., alongthe lateral axis 255) of the passenger compartment. In this manner, thefirst airbag 505 can be laterally opposite to the second airbag 510.

The airbags 505, 510, and 515 can be activated and/or deactivated basedon the position of the cover panel 300. For example, FIG. 6 depicts anexample airbag activation scheme 600 according to example embodiments ofthe present disclosure. As depicted, the first airbag 505 and the secondairbag 510 can be activated and the third airbag 510 can be deactivated.At least one of the first airbag and/or the second airbag can beactivated based, at least in part, on a position of the cover panel 300.An airbag activation state, for example, for the first airbag 505, thesecond airbag 510, and/or the third airbag 515 can include an activatedstate or a deactivated state. As described herein, the activated stateor the deactivated state can be indicative of an ON/OFF condition for arespective airbag.

In some implementations, one or more of the first 505, second 510,and/or third airbags 515 can be activated and/or deactivated based onwhether the airbag is covered by another airbag. For example, while inthe isolating position, the third airbag 515 of the cover panel 300 cancover the second airbag 510 of a control device 270. In addition, whilein the exposing position 305, the third airbag 515 of the cover panel300 can cover the first airbag 505 of the front panel 245 (e.g.,positioned in front of a front passenger seat). In each case, thecovered airbag (e.g., the first airbag in this case) (e.g., the first505 and/or second airbags 510, etc.) can be deactivated to preventinterference with the covering airbag (e.g., the third airbag 515). Byway of example, the first airbag 505 and the third airbag 515 can be inthe activated state and the second airbag 510 can be in the deactivatedstate when the cover panel 300 is in an isolating position 310. Inaddition, or alternatively, the second airbag 510 and the third airbag525 can be in the activated state and the first airbag 505 can be in thedeactivated state when the cover panel 300 is in an exposing position.

To change the state of an airbag, the vehicle computing system (or acomponent thereof) and/or a remote computing system can send one or moresignal(s) to an airbag control system associated with the airbag(s).Upon receipt of the signal(s), the airbag control system can adjust thestate of the airbag by sending control signal(s) to activate and/ordeactivate (e.g., open/close circuits, de-couple/couple mechanicalcomponents, apply/remove restrictive forces, etc.) the respectiveairbag(s). Moreover, the airbag control system can maintain stored datastructure (e.g., table, list, etc.) that records the state of an airbag,time of change, type of change, etc. This can allow the airbag controlsystem to track the previous and/or current state of an airbag, asdescribed herein.

FIG. 7 depicts a dataflow diagram 700 for initiating a positional changeof a configurable cover panel according to example embodiments of thepresent disclosure. A computing system 705 (e.g., vehicle computingsystem 112, operations computing system 104 of FIG. 1 , etc.) caninitiate one or more cover panel and/or airbag actions based on one ormore aspects of the vehicle's operation (e.g., vehicle operating mode,operational-status modes, etc.). For instance, the computing system 705can initiate a locking and/or unlocking action, a positional change, anairbag activation/deactivation, and/or any other action associated withthe cover panel and/or the one or more airbags of the autonomousvehicle. As an example, the computing system 705 can lock and/or unlockthe cover panel and/or automatically reposition the cover panel (and/oractivate/deactivate one or more airbags) based on an operatingmode/state of the autonomous vehicle.

To do so, the computing system 705 (e.g., vehicle computing system 112,operations computing system 104, etc.) can obtain vehicle data 710indicative of a vehicle operating mode, the position of the configurablecover panel, and/or the operational state for one or more airbags of theautonomous vehicle. For example, the vehicle data 710 can includevehicle mode data 715, cover panel position data 720, and/or airbagactivation data 725. The mode data 715 can be indicative of one or moreof a current, preceding, and/or anticipated vehicle operating mode. Thecover panel position data 720 can be indicative of one or more of acurrent, preceding, and/or anticipated cover panel position. And, theairbag activation data 725 can be indicative of a current, preceding,and/or anticipated airbag activation state for one or more airbags(e.g., the first airbag 505, second airbag 510, third airbag 515 of FIG.5 , etc.) of the vehicle.

The computing system 705 can determine a first position (e.g., based onthe position data 720) of the cover panel for the autonomous vehicle.The cover panel, for example, can be moveable (e.g., while unlocked)along the front panel of the autonomous vehicle to isolate and/or exposea motion control device of the autonomous vehicle. The computing system705 can initiate a locking action and/or a positional change for thecover panel based, at least in part, on the vehicle data 710 and thefirst position (e.g., as indicated by the position data 720). As anexample, the computing system 705 can initiate the locking action based,at least in part, on the operating mode (e.g., as indicated by the modedata 715) of the autonomous vehicle. The cover panel, for example, canbe locked at the isolating position when the autonomous vehicle is in afully autonomous mode and/or unlocked when the autonomous vehicle is ina manual mode.

The locking action can include a change to the locking state (e.g.,active or inactive) associated with the cover panel and a correspondingaction (e.g., locking the cover panel to the first position, unlockingthe cover panel from the first position, etc.). The computing system 705can initiate the locking action by generating control instructions 740for implementing the locking action and providing the instructions toone or more locking mechanisms (e.g., locking pins, etc.) configured toreceive and implement the instructions by locking and/or unlocking thecover panel at the first position. The positional change can include achange from an exposing position to an isolating position, and/or viceversa. The computing system 705 can initiate a positional change bygenerating control instructions 740 for implementing the positionalchange and providing the instructions to the panel motor configured toreceive and implement the instructions by moving the cover panel inaccordance with the positional change.

To initiate an action, the computing system 705 can determine a desiredposition data 730 for the cover panel. The desired position data 730 canbe indicative of a desired position and/or an anticipated desiredposition for the configurable cover panel. The desired position data 730can be determined based, at least in part, on the vehicle data 710. Forexample, the desired position for the cover panel can include theisolating position in the event that the vehicle operating mode (e.g.,as indicated by the mode data 715) is a fully autonomous operating mode.In this manner, one or more of the control device(s) can be coveredand/or otherwise isolated from the passenger compartment when manualinputs to the control device(s) would interfere with the autonomousoperation of the vehicle.

In addition, or alternatively, the desired position for the cover panelcan be the exposing position in the event that the vehicle operatingmode (e.g., as indicated by the mode data 715) includes the manualoperating mode and/or the semi-autonomous operating mode. In thismanner, one or more of the control device(s) can be uncovered and/orotherwise accessible from the passenger compartment (e.g., to one ormore passengers within the passenger compartment) to enable one or moremanual inputs to the control device(s) to control one or more operationsof the autonomous vehicle.

In some implementations, the computing system 705 can determine ananticipated desired position for the cover panel. For example, thecomputing system 705 can determine (e.g., predict, anticipate, etc.)that an operating mode change will occur at a future time (e.g., one ormore seconds, minutes, etc. subsequent to a current time) based on thevehicle data 710 (e.g., the mode data 715). This can include, forexample, anticipating that the autonomous vehicle will change from afully autonomous mode into a semi-autonomous or manual operating modebased on an upcoming route segment (e.g., that is unmapped for theautonomous vehicle) and/or scenario (e.g., a crowded urban environmentnearby a drop-off location). In such a case, the computing system 705can determine an anticipated desired position for the cover panel basedon the anticipated operating mode change (e.g., as indicated by the modedata 715).

In addition, or alternatively, the computing system 705 can determinethe current operating mode and/or a preceding operating mode of theautonomous vehicle based at least in part on the first position (e.g.,as indicated by the position data 720) of the cover panel. By way ofexample, the computing system 705 can determine that the autonomousvehicle is currently and/or was previously operating in a manual and/orsemi-autonomous operating mode in the event that the first position ofthe cover panel is the exposing position. In addition, the computingsystem 705 can determine that the autonomous vehicle is currently and/orwas previously operating in a fully autonomous operating mode in theevent that the first position of the cover panel is the isolatingposition.

In some implementations, the computing system 705 can obtain a currentlocking state for the cover panel. The current locking state canidentify whether the cover panel is locked and/or unlocked to the firstposition. In the event that the first position is the same as thedesired position, the computing system 705 can ensure that the currentlocking state is active (e.g., the cover panel is locked to the firstposition). For instance, the computing system 705 can initiate a lockingaction to lock the cover panel to the first position in the event thatthe current locking state is inactive (e.g., the cover panel isunlocked). In this manner, the cover panel can be securely fastened tothe exposing position (and/or an isolating position) if it is determinedthat the vehicle is operating in a manual mode (and/or an autonomousmode) to prevent the cover panel from interfering (e.g., by slidingand/or otherwise moving to along the front panel) with an operator ofthe vehicle.

In addition, or alternatively, the computing system 705 can ensure thatthe current locking state is inactive if the first position (e.g., asindicated by the position data 720) is different than the desiredposition and/or anticipated desired position (e.g., as indicated by thedesired position data 730). For instance, the computing system 705 caninitiate a locking action to unlock the cover panel from the firstposition in the event that the current locking state is active. In thismanner, the cover panel can be unlocked from the first position toenable a passenger or operator of the vehicle to manually move the coverpanel. In addition, or alternatively, the cover panel can be unlockedfrom the first position to enable the computing system 705 to initiate apositional change of the cover panel.

By way of example, the computing system 705 can determine that the firstposition (e.g., as indicated by the position data 720) is different thanthe desired position and/or the anticipated desired position (e.g., asindicated by the desired position data 730). For instance, the firstposition can include the exposing position and a vehicle data 710 (e.g.,mode data 715) can indicate that the autonomous vehicle is in a fullyautonomous operating mode at the current time and/or be predicted to bein the fully autonomous operating mode at a future time. In such a case,the computing system 705 can determine that the desired and/oranticipated desired position of the cover panel is the isolatingposition and that the desired (and/or anticipated desired) isolatingposition is different from the current exposing position. In addition,or alternatively, the first position can include the isolating positionand the vehicle data 710 (e.g., mode data 715) can indicate the vehicleis in the manual operating mode at the current time and/or be predictedto be in the manual operating mode at a future time. In such a case, thecomputing system 705 can determine that the desired (and/or anticipateddesired) position of the cover panel is the exposing position and thedesired (and/or anticipated desired) exposing position is different fromthe current isolating position.

In response, the computing system 705 can initiate the positional changeof the cover panel from the first position to the desired position atthe current time, an anticipated future time, and/or any timetherebetween. For example, the computing system 705 can initiate thepositional change of the cover panel based on the desired (and/oranticipated desired) position. For instance, the computing system 705can initiate the positional change of the cover panel from an isolatingposition to an exposing position at a current time and/or before apredicted mode change from a fully autonomous operating mode to a manualoperating mode. In this manner, one or more control devices of theautonomous vehicle can be made available and/or exposed to the passengercompartment before they can be used to operate the vehicle. As anotherexample, the computing system 705 can initiate the positional change ofthe cover panel from an exposing position to an isolating position at acurrent time and/or after a predicted mode change from a manualoperating mode to a fully autonomous operating mode. In this manner, theone or more control devices of the autonomous vehicle can be isolatedfrom the passenger compartment after they can no longer be used tooperate the vehicle.

In some implementations, the computing system 705 can initiate one ormore safety actions based on the positional change of the cover panel.By way of example, the computing system 705 can determine one or moresafety actions to prepare for the positional change of the cover panel.The one or more safety actions, for example, can include one or moremotion control planning actions (e.g., a stopping action to stop thevehicle in-lane or out-of-lane, a parking action to park the vehiclebefore initiating the positional change of the cover panel), one or moreoperating mode actions (e.g., to change the operating mode of theautonomous vehicle), one or more operational-status actions (e.g., tochange the operational-status of the autonomous vehicle), one or moreairbag activation actions (e.g., to change the activation state of oneor more airbags of the autonomous vehicle), and/or any other action toensure the safe transition of the cover panel between an isolatingposition and an exposing position. As an example, the computing system705 can generate one or more control instructions 740 (e.g., a first setof instructions) to control the autonomous vehicle to prepare for achange in the operating mode of the vehicle by decelerating to a stoppedposition, parking at a safe location, securing the vehicle, determiningwhether passengers are in the vehicle, etc. The computing system 705 cangenerate one or more control instructions 740 (e.g., a second set ofinstructions) to initiate the positional change of the cover panel afterthe autonomous vehicle is prepared for the change in the operating modeof the vehicle.

As another example, the computing system 705 can determine one or moreairbag activation actions based on a positional change of the coverpanel. For instance, the computing system 705 can determine desiredairbag activation data 735 indicative of a desired airbag activationstate for each airbag of the vehicle in a similar manner as describedabove. The computing system 705 can initiate an airbag activation statechange for each of the airbags based, at least in part, on thepositional change (and/or an anticipated positional change) for thecover panel. For instance, as described herein, the desired activationstate for the first airbag and the third airbag can be the activatedstate and the desired activation state for the second airbag can be thedeactivated state when the motion control device of the autonomousvehicle is and/or is anticipated to be isolated by the cover panel.Moreover, the desired activation state for the second airbag and thethird airbag can be the activated state and the desired activation statefor the first airbag can be the deactivated state when the motioncontrol device of the autonomous vehicle is and/or is anticipated to beexposed by the cover panel. Thus, in the event that a positional changeis from an isolating position to an exposing position, the computingsystem 705 can activate the second airbag and deactivate the firstairbag, and/or vice versa.

Turning to FIG. 8 , FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of a method 800 forinitiating a reconfiguration response according to example embodimentsof the present disclosure. One or more portion(s) of the method 800 canbe implemented by a computing system that includes one or more computingdevices such as, for example, the computing systems described withreference to the other figures (e.g., the computing system 705,operations computing system 104, vehicle computing system 112, etc.).Each respective portion of the method 800 can be performed by any (orany combination) of one or more computing devices. Moreover, one or moreportion(s) of the method 800 can be implemented as an algorithm on thehardware components of the device(s) described herein (e.g., as in FIGS.1-6 , etc.), for example, to adjust the position of a cover panel for anautonomous vehicle. FIG. 8 depicts elements performed in a particularorder for purposes of illustration and discussion. Those of ordinaryskill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will understandthat the elements of any of the methods discussed herein can be adapted,rearranged, expanded, omitted, combined, and/or modified in various wayswithout deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 isdescribed with reference to elements/terms described with respect toother systems and figures for exemplary illustrated purposes and is notmeant to be limiting. One or more portions of method 800 can beperformed additionally, or alternatively, by other systems.

At 805, the method 800 can include obtaining vehicle data. For example,a computing system (e.g., computing system 705, vehicle computing system112, operation computing systems 104, etc.) can obtain vehicle dataindicative of an operating mode for an autonomous vehicle. Theautonomous vehicle can include a passenger compartment defining alongitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and a vertical direction.The passenger compartment can have a forward end and a rear end spacedapart from the forward end along the longitudinal direction. Thepassenger compartment can include a front panel disposed proximate tothe front end of the passenger compartment (e.g., closer to the frontend than an opposing rear end), a vehicle motion control device locatedat the front panel, and/or a cover panel located at the front panel. Thecover panel can be moveable relative to the front panel between anisolating position and an exposing position. The cover panel can isolatethe vehicle motion control device from the passenger compartment when inthe isolating position.

At 810, the method 800 can include determining a first position. Forexample, a computing system (e.g., computing system 705, vehiclecomputing system 112, operation computing systems 104, etc.) candetermine the first position of the cover panel for the autonomousvehicle. The cover panel, for example, can be movable along a frontpanel of the autonomous vehicle to isolate and expose a motion controldevice of the autonomous vehicle. The first position of a cover panelfor the autonomous vehicle can be determined from among a plurality ofpositions. The plurality of positions can include an isolating positionin which the cover panel substantially isolates a motion control deviceof the autonomous vehicle from a passenger compartment of the autonomousvehicle and an exposing position in which the motion control device isexposed to the passenger compartment of the autonomous vehicle.

At 815, the method 800 can include determining a desired position. Forexample, a computing system (e.g., computing system 705, vehiclecomputing system 112, operations computing system 104, etc.) candetermine the desired position for the cover panel based on the vehicledata.

At 820, the method 800 can include determining that the first positionis different than the desired position. For example, a computing system(e.g., computing system 705, vehicle computing system 112, operationscomputing system 104, etc.) can determine that the first position isdifferent than the desired position.

At 825, the method 800 can include initiating a positional change. Forexample, a computing system (e.g., computing system 705, vehiclecomputing system 112, operations computing system 104, etc.) caninitiate a positional change for the cover panel based on the vehicledata and the first position. In some implementations, the computingsystem can initiate the positional change of the cover panel from thefirst position to the desired position in response to determining thatthe first position is different than the desired position.

At 830, the method 800 can include initiation an airbag activation. Forexample, a computing system (e.g., computing system 705, vehiclecomputing system 112, operations computing system 104, etc.) caninitiate an airbag activation state change base on the positional changefor the cover panel.

Turning to FIG. 9 , various means can be configured to perform themethods and processes described herein. For example, a computing system900 can include data obtaining unit(s) 905, positional unit(s) 910,desired unit(s) 915, initiation unit(s) 920, and/or other means forperforming the operations and functions described herein. In someimplementations, one or more of the units may be implemented separately.In some implementations, one or more units may be a part of or includedin one or more other units. These means can include processor(s),microprocessor(s), graphics processing unit(s), logic circuit(s),dedicated circuit(s), application-specific integrated circuit(s),programmable array logic, field-programmable gate array(s),controller(s), microcontroller(s), and/or other suitable hardware. Themeans can also, or alternately, include software control meansimplemented with a processor or logic circuitry, for example. The meanscan include or otherwise be able to access memory such as, for example,one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such asrandom-access memory, read-only memory, electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory,flash/other memory device(s), data registrar(s), database(s), and/orother suitable hardware.

The means can be programmed to perform one or more algorithm(s) forcarrying out the operations and functions described herein. Forinstance, the means (e.g., data obtaining unit(s) 905, etc.) can beconfigured to obtain vehicle data indicative of a vehicle operating modefor an autonomous vehicle. The means (e.g., positional unit(s) 910,etc.) can be configured to determine a first position of a cover panelfor the autonomous vehicle. The cover panel, for example, can bemoveable along a front panel of the autonomous vehicle to isolate and/orexpose a motion control device of the autonomous vehicle. The means(e.g., desired position unit(s) 915, etc.) can be configured todetermine a desired position for a cover panel based, at least in part,on the vehicle data. The means (e.g., initiation unit(s) 920, etc.) canbe configured to initiate a positional change for the cover panel based,at least in part, on the vehicle data and the first position. Inaddition, the means (e.g., initiation unit(s) 920, etc.) can beconfigured to determine that the first position is different than thedesired position and, in response, initiate the positional change of thecover panel from the first position to the desired position.

FIG. 10 depicts example system components of an example system 1000according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. The examplesystem 1000 can include the computing system 1005 (e.g., a vehiclecomputing system 112, operations computing system 104, computing system705, etc.) and the computing system 1050 (e.g., a vehicle computingsystem 112, operations computing system 104, computing system 705, etc.)that are communicatively coupled over one or more network(s) 1045.

The computing system 1005 can include one or more computing device(s)1010. The computing device(s) 1010 of the computing system 1005 caninclude processor(s) 1015 and a memory 1020. The one or more processors1015 can be any suitable processing device (e.g., a processor core, amicroprocessor, an ASIC, a FPGA, a controller, a microcontroller, etc.)and can be one processor or a plurality of processors that areoperatively connected. The memory 1020 can include one or morenon-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as RAM, ROM,EEPROM, EPROM, one or more memory devices, flash memory devices, etc.,and combinations thereof.

The memory 1020 can store information that can be accessed by the one ormore processors 1015. For instance, the memory 1020 (e.g., one or morenon-transitory computer-readable storage mediums, memory devices) caninclude computer-readable instructions 1025 that can be executed by theone or more processors 1015. The instructions 1025 can be softwarewritten in any suitable programming language or can be implemented inhardware. Additionally, or alternatively, the instructions 1025 can beexecuted in logically and/or virtually separate threads on processor(s)1015.

For example, the memory 1020 can store instructions 1025 that whenexecuted by the one or more processors 1015 cause the one or moreprocessors 1015 to perform operations such as any of the operations andfunctions for which the computing systems (e.g., computing system 705,vehicle computing system 112, operations computing system 105, etc.) areconfigured, as described herein.

The memory 1020 can store data 1030 that can be obtained, received,accessed, written, manipulated, created, and/or stored. The data 1030can include, for instance, vehicle data, mode data, position data,activation data, and/or other data/information described herein. In someimplementations, the computing device(s) 1010 can obtain from and/orstore data in one or more memory device(s) that are remote from thecomputing system 1005 such as one or more memory devices of thecomputing system 1050.

The computing device(s) 1010 can also include a communication interface1035 used to communicate with one or more other system(s) (e.g.,computing system 1050). The communication interface 1035 can include anycircuits, components, software, etc. for communicating via one or morenetworks (e.g., 1045). In some implementations, the communicationinterface 1035 can include for example, one or more of a communicationscontroller, receiver, transceiver, transmitter, port, conductors,software and/or hardware for communicating data/information.

The computing system 1050 can include one or more computing devices1055. The one or more computing devices 1055 can include one or moreprocessors 1060 and a memory 1065. The one or more processors 1060 canbe any suitable processing device (e.g., a processor core, amicroprocessor, an ASIC, a FPGA, a controller, a microcontroller, etc.)and can be one processor or a plurality of processors that areoperatively connected. The memory 1065 can include one or morenon-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as RAM, ROM,EEPROM, EPROM, one or more memory devices, flash memory devices, etc.,and combinations thereof.

The memory 1065 can store information that can be accessed by the one ormore processors 1060. For instance, the memory 1065 (e.g., one or morenon-transitory computer-readable storage mediums, memory devices) canstore data 1075 that can be obtained, received, accessed, written,manipulated, created, and/or stored. The data 1075 can include, forinstance, vehicle data, mode data, position data, activation, desiredposition data, desired activation data, and/or other data/informationdescribed herein. In some implementations, the computing system 1050 canobtain data from one or more memory device(s) that are remote from thecomputing system 1050.

The memory 1065 can also store computer-readable instructions 1070 thatcan be executed by the one or more processors 1060. The instructions1070 can be software written in any suitable programming language or canbe implemented in hardware. Additionally, or alternatively, theinstructions 1070 can be executed in logically and/or virtually separatethreads on processor(s) 1060. For example, the memory 1065 can storeinstructions 1070 that when executed by the one or more processors 1060cause the one or more processors 1060 to perform any of the operationsand/or functions described herein, including, for example, any of theoperations and functions of the devices described herein, and/or otheroperations and functions.

The computing device(s) 1055 can also include a communication interface1080 used to communicate with one or more other system(s). Thecommunication interface 1080 can include any circuits, components,software, etc. for communicating via one or more networks (e.g., 1045).In some implementations, the communication interface 1080 can includefor example, one or more of a communications controller, receiver,transceiver, transmitter, port, conductors, software and/or hardware forcommunicating data/information.

The network(s) 1045 can be any type of network or combination ofnetworks that allows for communication between devices. In someembodiments, the network(s) 1045 can include one or more of a local areanetwork, wide area network, the Internet, secure network, cellularnetwork, mesh network, peer-to-peer communication link and/or somecombination thereof and can include any number of wired or wirelesslinks. Communication over the network(s) 1045 can be accomplished, forinstance, via a network interface using any type of protocol, protectionscheme, encoding, format, packaging, etc.

FIG. 10 illustrates one example system 1000 that can be used toimplement the present disclosure. Other computing systems can be used aswell. Computing tasks discussed herein as being performed at a vehiclecomputing system can instead be performed remote from the vehiclecomputing system (e.g., via operations computing system, one or moreother remote devices, etc.), or vice versa. Such configurations can beimplemented without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.The use of computer-based systems allows for a great variety of possibleconfigurations, combinations, and divisions of tasks and functionalitybetween and among components. Computer-implemented operations can beperformed on a single component or across multiple components.Computer-implemented tasks and/or operations can be performedsequentially or in parallel. Data and instructions can be stored in asingle memory device or across multiple memory devices.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific example embodiments and methods thereof, it will beappreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining anunderstanding of the foregoing can readily produce alterations to,variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, thescope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by wayof limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion ofsuch modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subjectmatter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. An autonomous vehicle comprising a passengercompartment defining a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, anda vertical direction, the passenger compartment having a forward end anda rear end spaced apart from the forward end along the longitudinaldirection, the passenger compartment comprising: a front panel disposedproximate to the forward end of the passenger compartment; a vehiclemotion control device connected to the front panel; and a cover panelaffixed to the front panel, the cover panel moveable relative to thefront panel between an isolating position and an exposing position, thecover panel isolating the vehicle motion control device from thepassenger compartment when in the isolating position; wherein the coverpanel comprises a sliding panel coupled to the front panel by one ormore tracks, and wherein the cover panel is configured to slide alongthe one or more tracks to move between the isolating position and theexposing position.
 2. The autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein thevehicle motion control device is exposed to the passenger compartment ofthe autonomous vehicle when the cover panel is in the exposing position.3. The autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle motion controldevice comprises a steering device.
 4. The autonomous vehicle of claim3, wherein the front panel comprises a receding portion, and wherein thesteering device is coupled to the receding portion by a telescopicactuator configured to recede within the receding portion of the frontpanel.
 5. The autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein the one or moretracks are positioned along the lateral direction of the front panel. 6.The autonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein the one or more tracks arepositioned along the vertical direction of the front panel.
 7. Theautonomous vehicle of claim 1, wherein the front panel comprises a firstairbag, the vehicle motion control device comprises a second airbag, andthe cover panel comprises a third airbag.
 8. The autonomous vehicle ofclaim 7, wherein at least one of the first airbag or the second airbagis activated based, at least in part, on a position of the cover panel.9. The autonomous vehicle of claim 7, wherein the vehicle motion controldevice is located in front of a first passenger seat within thepassenger compartment of the autonomous vehicle, and wherein the firstairbag is located within the front panel in front of a second passengerseat within the passenger compartment of the autonomous vehicle, andwherein the first passenger seat is spaced apart from the secondpassenger seat along the lateral direction of the passenger compartment.10. A computer-implemented method of adjusting a position of a coverpanel for an autonomous vehicle, the method comprising: obtainingvehicle data indicative of an operating mode for the autonomous vehicle;determining a first position of the cover panel for the autonomousvehicle, wherein the cover panel is moveable along a front panel of theautonomous vehicle to isolate and expose a motion control device of theautonomous vehicle, wherein the cover panel comprises a sliding panelcoupled to the front panel by one or more tracks, and wherein the coverpanel is configured to slide along the one or more tracks to movebetween an isolating position and an exposing position; and initiating apositional change for the cover panel based, at least in part, on thevehicle data and the first position.
 11. The computer-implemented methodof claim 10, wherein the cover panel is movable between the isolatingposition and the exposing position, wherein the cover panel isconfigured to substantially isolate the motion control device of theautonomous vehicle when positioned at the isolating position, whereinthe motion control device is exposed to a passenger compartment of theautonomous vehicle when the cover panel is in the exposing position. 12.The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the operating modecomprises at least one of a manual operating mode, a semi-autonomousoperating mode, or a fully autonomous operating mode.
 13. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein initiating thepositional change for the cover panel based, at least in part, on thevehicle data and the first position comprises: determining a desiredposition for the cover panel based, at least in part, on the vehicledata; determining that the first position is different than the desiredposition; and in response, initiating the positional change of the coverpanel from the first position to the desired position.
 14. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein the desired positionfor the cover panel is the isolating position when the operating mode isthe fully autonomous operating mode, and wherein the desired positionfor the cover panel is the exposing position when the operating mode isthe manual operating mode or the semi-autonomous operating mode.
 15. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the front panelcomprises a first airbag, the motion control device comprises a secondairbag, and the cover panel comprises a third airbag.
 16. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the vehicle datafurther comprises an airbag activation state for the first airbag, thesecond airbag, and the third airbag, and wherein the method furthercomprises: initiating an airbag activation state change based, at leastin part, on the positional change for the cover panel.
 17. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 16, wherein the airbag activationstate for the first airbag, the second airbag, and the third airbagcomprises an activated state or a deactivated state, and wherein thefirst airbag and the third airbag are in the activated state and thesecond airbag is in the deactivated state when the motion control deviceof the autonomous vehicle is isolated by the cover panel.
 18. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 16, wherein the airbag activationstate for the first airbag, the second airbag, and the third airbagcomprises an activated state or a deactivated state, and wherein thesecond airbag and the third airbag are in the activated state and thefirst airbag is in the deactivated state when the motion control deviceof the autonomous vehicle is exposed by the cover panel.
 19. A computingsystem comprising one or more processors; and one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media that store instructions that, when executed bythe one or more processors, cause the computing system to performoperations, the operations comprising: obtaining vehicle data indicativeof an operating mode of an autonomous vehicle; determining a firstposition of a cover panel for the autonomous vehicle from among aplurality of positions, wherein the plurality of positions comprise anisolating position in which the cover panel substantially isolates amotion control device of the autonomous vehicle from a passengercompartment of the autonomous vehicle and an exposing position in whichthe motion control device is exposed to the passenger compartment of theautonomous vehicle, wherein the cover panel comprises a sliding panelcoupled to the front panel by one or more tracks, and wherein the coverpanel is configured to slide along the one or more tracks to movebetween the isolating position and the exposing position; and initiatinga positional change for the cover panel based, at least in part, on thevehicle data and the first position.
 20. The computing system of claim19, wherein the operations further comprise: initiating a changeassociated with an airbag based, at least in part, on the positionalchange for the cover panel.